On November 28, 2007 the Reynolds Center auditorium was abuzz with the voices and excitement of more than 200 gifted middle schools students from Fayetteville School District. For a semester the students had studies economics and finance. They had even taken a field trip to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Today was the culminating activity for their study. They were welcomed by Dr. Rita Littrell who had worked with the teachers to plan the day's activities. Don Bland, Senior Managing Director of Outreach at the Walton College and former Wal-Mart International executive spoke to the students about the importance of understanding economics and making good decisions.  

Students then attended concurrent sessions presented by local community and business leaders on a variety of topics including sustainability, international business, world trade, entrepreneurship, investing, banking careers, world poverty and philanthropy. Organizations represented by the presenters included Bank of Fayetteville, Saatchi and Saatchi, AG Edwards, Fayetteville Economic Development Council, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart International, Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation, Heifer International, and Dog Party USA. To wrap up the day Kathy Deck, Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research, conducted an activity to teach students about the local and state economic status. Students asked terrific questions and made very insightful observations through the day's activities. A sampling of comments is included:

• I had no idea that there were so many other Wal-Mart companies around the world.
• Maybe we should buy less from the Pinnacle Promenade. (keep city sales taxes here)
• This session (Kathy Deck's) connects to me because I am part of the economy.
• If you change a light bulb to a fluorescent light bulb, you can save a lot of money.
• We need creative people to make up new jobs so the economy does better.
• Economics is the study of decision making in a world with limited resources.
• Start at age 12 and save $50 every month with 10% interest, and you can become a millionaire quick.
• Setting up a trading system with other countries decreases the chance of having a war with that country.
• More people have jobs with natural resources and mining in Arkansas than any other sector.
• Marketing's goal is to identify and satisfy customers.

A special thanks to Jeanne King, Tracie Slattery and Vanessa Seward for selecting this topic for the students. They have opened up news areas of interest for these students. Rogers middle school gifted program is conducting a study on entrepreneurship and international economics. A culminating activity at the Walton College is currently in the planning stages.