With a pitcher of lemonade, a folding table and a goal in mind, 9-year-old Vivian Seston is spending her summer raising money the old-fashioned way: one cup at a time.

A 4th grader from Santa Clarita Christian School launched her lemonade stand earlier this month to help pay for her way to Sacramento for a class field trip scheduled for March 2026. 

The trip costs between $650 and $750, but rather than rely solely on her parents, Vivian decided to take action.

“There were a few different reasons,” Vivian shared. “I wanted to help lighten the cost for my mom and dad. And having a lemonade stand is a fun thing to do in the summer.”

Vivian’s mother, Avery Seston, said the idea was a perfect blend of fun and responsibility.

“Vivian has really taken ownership of this. She makes her own signs, preps the lemonade, and even insists on wiping out the cooler and putting everything away when she’s done,” Avery said. “It’s also been stretching her social skills. She’s learning to communicate with adults and manage her own little business.”

Vivian originally considered making bracelets to sell, but opted for lemonade after weighing the time and cost.

Courtesy image

“I would’ve needed to buy more beads, and my mom said I would be able to reach more people by having a lemonade stand,” she explained.

So far, she’s only hosted one sale and sold out. But with $500 still to go, she’s planning another stand this Wednesday, June 25, from 2 to 5 p.m. on Haskell Canyon Road, just north of Jeffers Lane and slightly south of Agajanian Lane.

Vivian won’t be alone this time. Classmates Tori and Ellie, who are also fundraising for the Sacramento trip, will be joining her.

Her ultimate goal is clear: “I want to pay my own way to Sacramento,” Vivian said proudly.

Beyond the financial lessons, the experience has given Vivian a front-row seat to the kindness of the Santa Clarita community.

“It’s been cool to see how generous people are,” she said. “It’s fun to learn that I can earn money by selling lemonade.”

Though the stand doesn’t have an official name yet, Vivian’s purpose is clear: with each cup she pours, she’s not just raising money — she’s gaining confidence, learning responsibility, and discovering the impact of hard work.

No social media accounts are set up for updates, but Avery says they plan to keep the lemonade flowing until Vivian reaches her goal and then keep going to help her friends do the same.

So if you’re near Haskell Canyon on Wednesday afternoon, keep an eye out for a few young entrepreneurs and maybe stop for a sweet sip that supports something even sweeter.

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