A flurry of color and activity filled the Ground Zero courtyard as campus economics students attempted to persuade their discerning peers to purchase their wares during the annual Econ Fair on April 14.

Products for sale included brush braclets, armapillows, leanmaster 5000s (a foolproof chair-lean), original alphabetical CD cases and a dessert called Crac (saltine crackers, caramel and chocolate).

While most groups did not net a profit after deducting expenses, seniors Brad Kooiman and Clinton Jeffries sold out of their Leanmaster 5000 product and made $21.

“”We sold an inventive, useful and unique item that was inexpensive and appealed to our classmates,”” Jeffries said. “”With our product, students can lean back in their chairs during class and not fall down or get in trouble.””

The Leanmaster sold for $3 and Jeffries sold all of his product in the first 10 minutes.

Fellow senior entrepreneurs Laura Berg and Sharayah Bell also made money during the afternoon. They sold 35 out of 45 handmade hemp necklaces for $1.50 apiece and gained $10 for their efforts.

According to economics teacher Robert Foshee, the projects are designed to take the concepts employed in the textbook and have his students put them into action.

“”The students are expected to take the lessons they learned from the book and apply them to their everyday lives,”” Foshee said. “”The fair is always highly entertaining since it gets the whole school involved in a unique marketplace environment. Plus, it tests the students creativity, team work and responsibility.””

Foshee plans to adapt next year’s economics fair from feedback he receives from his students.