Business opportunities are out there- just ask Elinor Arrabal’s and Mylene Exposito’s Business Ownership classes. For the past five years, the two teachers have advised students as they sell school spirit items to both students and faculty members.

“It gives students a hands-on experience with real business scenarios,” Arrabal said.

This year, three products are on the market: $15 v-neck shirts, in both blue and gray, $25 class jerseys, in just blue, and $5 sunglasses, with white type on the side that reads “Panther Strong.” Each class comes up with its own product and each has its own adviser from the business management organization Junior Achievement.

“The Junior Achievement adviser comes in to work with the class, helping them set up a business plan and eventually close out the business,” Arrabal said.

The students are responsible for selecting, pricing, promoting, and distributing their product. Some of the students purchase stock in the company, providing them an opportunity to earn profit from their efforts. But first, 15% of the profit goes to a charity organization of the class’s choice.

Each class has its own president that oversees the project: junior Karly Doehla, v-necks; senior Joseph Spiegel, class jerseys; junior Ben Goldberg, sunglasses. Every other student in the class has his or her own secondary position, whether it is directing financials, distribution, or promotion.