Product posters adorn the halls, Economics classes are a flurry of activity, and the seniors have been swept up in a financial frenzy. It’s that time of year: the Economics Fair has once again graced the halls of Cy Ranch.

The Eco Fair, which has been a core part of the Economics curriculum since the school’s opening, aims to teach the students the basics of business.

“It basically reiterates what [the students] have learned, but gives them some real-life, practical experience with what they’ve learned in class,” said Economics teacher, Loren Lizmi. “It’s easy to learn from a book and for me to tell them, but it’s a lot more difficult to actually try to apply the things that they have learned.”

As for what the students make, the merchandise varies according to season.

“[The products] depend on the time of year,” said Lizmi. “We hold the fair twice a year, so in the December fair, we get anything from Christmas gifts to college cups and shirts.”

Students create products with the aim to make a profit, which is another vital lesson the fair teaches.

“We get some really creative things, and then sometimes we get the generic ideas that are repeated semester to semester, but they’re always done with a different twist,” said Lizmi. “It’s very interesting to see what they come up with.”

The fair, however, does not exist exclusively as a teaching tool.

“[The fair] is a fundraiser for the senior class,” said Lizmi. “We split the proceeds between the social studies department and the senior class, and also donate to the MANE event.  It’s usually used  where they use the money for food or prizes, things like that.”

Overall, the fair is an opportunity to utilize skills in a practical manner.

“It promotes our entire course,” said Lizmi. “It’s a summative knowledge and application of the things we have learned in class.”