The grounds of Valley Primary School burst into colour, excitement and entrepreneurial energy on Thursday, 28th May, 2026, as students transformed their campus into a lively marketplace for the school’s inaugural Kidpreneur Fair.
With music playing, children calling out to customers and colourful booths stretching across the courtyard, the event felt like a miniature business district powered entirely by young minds. Valley Primary School now joins Morris Vanterpool Primary School, Orealia Kelly Primary School and Vivien Vanterpool Primary School as the fourth primary school on the island to host a Kidpreneur Fair — an initiative steadily building a culture of entrepreneurship among Anguilla’s youngest generation.
But VPS ensured its first staging would be remembered.
Instead of a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, the fair officially opened with a literal dramatic explosion of colourful confetti, drawing cheers and applause from students, teachers, parents and visitors gathered on the school grounds. The celebratory burst mirrored the atmosphere throughout the morning — vibrant, energetic and filled with possibility.
Colourful stalls lined the courtyard, each reflecting the personality and creativity of the children behind them. The aroma of popcorn floated through the warm morning air, mixing with the sweetness of lemonade, smoothies and frozen treats that quickly became popular under the late-May heat.
The young vendors eagerly showcased an impressive range of products and services. Pastries, snacks and icy delights were sold alongside handmade jewellery, customised keychains, toys and accessories. Some students even ventured beyond traditional products and offered experiences instead — from bouncing castle sessions and toy archery to basketball, football and playful boxing challenges.
More than just a school fair, the event became a living lesson in confidence, communication and innovation.
In his opening remarks, Chief Education Officer Bren Romney praised the students for stepping outside of their comfort zones and embracing the challenge of entrepreneurship at such an early age.
“We celebrate the creativity, the courage, and the problem-solving, the confidence, and the entrepreneurial spirit of our students,” Romney said. “Each student participating today has taken an idea and worked to turn it into something real. That is no small achievement.”
He reminded students that success was not measured solely by sales, but by their willingness to dream, prepare and present their ideas publicly.
“Whether you sell one item or many today, you have already succeeded because you dared to dream, show up, plan, create, and present your work to others,” he told the young participants.
Romney also highlighted the broader life lessons embedded within the initiative, noting that experiences like the Kidpreneur Fair help students connect classroom learning with real-world skills such as responsibility, teamwork, money management and resilience.
He further acknowledged the partnership between the Department of Education and the Anguilla Youth Business Foundation, expressing hope that the first VPS Kidpreneur Fair would become the beginning of many future opportunities for students to “shine, lead, and build boldly for the future.”
Meanwhile, Waynika Romney, Coordinator of the Anguilla Youth Business Foundation, brought a spirited and interactive energy to the opening ceremony as she welcomed the students — proudly rebranding them as “Horsepreneurs” in honour of the school’s mascot.
Addressing the students directly, Romney encouraged them to embrace both the excitement and challenges of business ownership.
“Things might not go as planned. You might face obstacles and feel discouraged. But remember, every challenge in the creation of your dream comes with exciting rewards,” she said.
Throughout her remarks, students responded enthusiastically as she led them through chants celebrating friendliness, hard work, confidence and profit. Her message, however, reminded students that entrepreneurship is fundamentally about solving problems and creating meaningful experiences for others.
“Each dream you have can solve someone’s problem,” she explained. “You no longer say to yourself, ‘I can’t give her lemonade,’ but instead, ‘I can make it for her, sell it to her, solve her problem, plus give her the best customer service experience.’”
Romney also applauded the perseverance of parents, teachers and organisers, especially after several schedule adjustments leading up to the event.
“Life in business and entrepreneurship — perseverance is important, and consistency is important,” she said.
As parents and visitors moved from booth to booth making purchases and encouraging the young vendors, the fair offered something perhaps even more valuable than profits or prizes. It gave children the opportunity to see themselves as creators, innovators and future business leaders.
It was yet another glimpse into Anguilla’s future — one where entrepreneurship is nurtured early, confidence is intentionally cultivated and young people are taught that their ideas have value.
By Janissa Fleming
