One Marian Catholic High School student, James Gomez, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Marlin Weyant of Tamaqua, attended the 2025 Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week this past summer on the campus of Lycoming College.

Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week is a weeklong economic education program that offers students an inside look at the private enterprise system and the way the free market works. Admission into the program is based on motivation to learn that is demonstrated through essays submitted by the applicants.

Those accepted are awarded full scholarships. The scholarships cover all program costs, excluding a nominal registration fee and transportation to and from the location. Students are housed in campus dorms, where they get to experience a taste of college life.

During the week, groups of students are placed into “companies” and simulate the actual operation of their own businesses for the equivalent of three years. Volunteers from the business community serve as advisers who mentor and guide the students as they face many of the same decisions real executives do. Each company also elects a CEO to be the team leader. Each company competes against each other in the areas of management skills, return on new assets, a marketing and advertising campaign, and a presentation to stockholders.

While there, speakers present seminars and discussions covering topics like the relationship of business with labor, government and consumers. Motivational speakers are also brought in to help students be their best self and much more.

James Gomez had this to say about his experience: “I was kind of nervous to do this but I got to meet cool and intelligent business people that I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.”