FORT TOTTEN, ND – On Friday, Nov. 7, hundreds of students ranging from fourth to eighth grade from schools in Ramsey and neighboring Benson counties arrived with volunteers bright and early at Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC) to take part in the Marketplace for Kids Education Day.
The annual gathering, now in its second year, provides a variety of classes and activities to help young people develop innovative skills, enhance personal development and explore various career options. While the program generally targets grades three through eight, it’s open to all ages.
The event kicked off with an opening rally featuring a performance of Native dance from the Spirit Lake Dancers, followed by the Presentation of Colors and the Native American Anthem performed by the Lake Region Drum Group.
“Standing up here, looking out at all of your happy, smiling faces, I notice some of you don’t have your name tags on,” said the event’s emcee and CCCC’s Career and Technical Education Director Evelyn “Evie” McDonald. “It’s very important that you wear those. They’re in your green bag. Don’t lose your green bag.”
Each of the students was given a bright green plastic bag that held a name tag, a schedule of events and a pencil. Also inside the bag was a report card, in which the kids were invited to rate their experience during Education Day, including their favorite classes and projects, what they liked the best and the least, and career interests.
“I’d like to welcome each and every one of you to our college today,” McDonald said. “I’m excited for you to get out into your breakout sessions and learn something new.”
Students were invited to participate in over 20 classes or projects in various classrooms and spaces on campus throughout the day, such as “Electrical Motors and Electrical Circuits” with Training and Compliance Administrator Scott Halle with the ND State Electrical Board, “Bright Futures: Exploring Energy in North Dakota” with Tom Oakland of the ND Department of Commerce, “Career Exploration: Working with Fish, Wildlife, and Plants” presented by Visitor Services Manager Coleen Graue of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s White Horse Hill National Game Preserve, and a presentation on the community college’s Carpentry Certificate Program. Spirit Lake EMT Ryan Jetty provided classes with a guided tour through an ambulance parked on the grounds, while a commercial driver’s license trainer showed students how vehicles surrounding a semi-trailer truck can disappear into blind spots in the driver’s seat.
“They range from being an English instructor to owning your business,” McDonald said later, adding that she just wanted the students “to open their minds and see what’s out there.”
Participating schools included students from Tate Topa Tribal School in Fort Totten, Prairie View Elementary School and Central Middle School from Devils Lake, Minnewaukan Public School from Minnewaukan, ND, and Warwick Public School from Warwick, ND.
At the opening rally, CCCC President Steven Smith stepped forward to welcome the huge crowd of young, eager faces. “All right, let me start by saying ‘wow,’” he said. “I didn’t expect so many students this morning, but it is one of the better sights I’ve seen this year.”
“It’s just something restorative to the soul when you look out and see all these young folks in here, engaged, ready to learn,” Smith continued. “I saw so much energy coming down the aisle to the front row here this morning. … This is one of the collaborations that we look forward to.”
While Governor Kelly Armstrong didn’t attend in person, he did offer welcoming remarks of his own via video, “Your presence here reflects a shared commitment to empowering the next generation’s innovators, problem solvers and entrepreneurs,” he said. “This event is more than a celebration of creativity; it’s a launchpad that can shape the future of North Dakota.”
Armstrong added that since its founding in 1995, Marketplace for Kids has inspired tens of thousands of young minds to explore the power of innovation and entrepreneurship. “Through hands-on learning and real-world experiences, students gain the confidence and skills to turn their ideas into action that are vital to build strong communities and a resilient economy. North Dakota is proud to lead the way preparing students for their future.”
The featured speaker at the event was Tara Rogness, who, in addition to serving as the Chief Financial Officer at Spirit Lake Casino and Resort, also owns the local drive-thru coffee shop North Dakota Coffee Connection. Her husband Eric teaches at CCCC. “Even though I love my career at the casino, I have always had a little spark, and that little spark is me dreaming about owning my own business,” she said. “We learned a lot (about owning a coffee shop), like how important it is to treat every customer with kindness, how to stay positive … how much teamwork it takes to make something truly successful.”
Rogness then told the students whether they knew what career they wanted or not, they have time to figure it out. “Every single job, class or hobby teaches you something useful for your future. Babysitting, mowing lawns, doing tours, helping your parents, those things build skills like responsibility, problem solving and teamwork, and those are some of the exact same skills entrepreneurs use every day.”
Rogness added that it’s all in the mindset. “It’s about how you think,” she said. “It’s about looking at something and asking, how could I make this better? What if I tried something new? Could this idea actually work? You don’t need to wait until you’re a grownup to think like an entrepreneur. You can start right now.”
She asked the crowd of kids, “Who’s ever had a lemonade stand?”
Many hands went up. “Okay,” she replied, “you’re an entrepreneur. Have you sold something that you made? Bracelets, baked goods, artwork? Yep, you’re all entrepreneurs. That’s entrepreneurship, you’re already doing it.”
At the end of her presentation, Rogness said, “I can’t wait to see what incredible things you all do for the future.”
McDonald then instructed the students to hold up their green bags and to make sure to fill out their report cards. And then invited them all, including volunteers and teachers, to enjoy their classes and projects and explore.
McDonald said later as the kids filed out of the amphitheater to their various classes that it was Bob Heitkamp, the executive director of Marketplace for Kids, who reached out to the college to stage the first event in 2024, and then again this year.
Smith, who has now served as president of the college for two years, was encouraged by the turnout of students. “It’s more than last year,” he said. “I hope that they learn something while they’re here.”
