Students practice money-management at S.P.A.R.K.S. Mini Society Auction

Local middle school and junior high students practiced money-management skills during the S.P.A.R.K.S. Mini Society Auction on Nov. 14 at the Clare-Gladwin Area School. The Mini Society, an economics simulation program developed by S.P.A.R.K.S., brought in local auctioneer Aiden Yoder to auction off items donated to the event by the after-school site coordinators.  

The students from Beaverton Middle, Farwell Middle, Gladwin Junior High, and Harrison Middle Schools bid on the variety of stuffed animals, backpacks, and more, using S.P.A.R.K.S. Bucks; a form of money they earned throughout the semester by successfully completing jobs and projects during their regular S.P.A.R.K.S. sessions. The kids also spent S.P.A.R.K.S. Bucks on student-made food for sale at the event. 

“The Mini Society introduces students to financial concepts, including spending and saving,” said S.P.A.R.K.S. Director Joe Trommater. “The Mini Society events, such as the Auction, are fun, hands-on ways the kids can apply what they are learning in a real-world setting.”   

 The Clare-Gladwin RESD’s S.P.A.R.K.S. program (Students Participating in Academics and Recreation for Knowledge and Success) is an after-school and summer-school program for students in Beaverton, Farwell, Gladwin, and Harrison school districts, made possible through grants from the Michigan Department of Education.