Bubble tea, coffee, and sweets. That’s what’s waiting for Lake students in the Blue Streak Café. More than just a project to raise money, the café is actually a great opportunity for students to learn more about business and become great entrepreneurs later in life.

Opened in 2019, the café started as a little cart. Today it has its own permanent stand beneath the stairs next to the auxiliary gymnasium. All the money that is raised through it goes to the career tech marketing program, which it belongs to. 

In the program, the seniors start their own businesses. The café was one idea that was driven by the students. To teach them important life and business skills, the students must do all the work. For approval of students’ projects, the final decision lies with Mr. Harold.  

The café itself has five leaders who do the scheduling and ordering. A couple student aids also help with the cleaning and prep work for the following day. 

Mrs. Tompot explained that she believes the program teaches students  important life skills, even if they don’t end up going into business. In it, they learn leadership, problem-solving, and people skills.  

Mrs. Tompot also wants the café to be a place where the students can come in the morning to get a coffee, start their day, and see some friendly faces. Furthermore, she is proud of the good relationship with the JTC program that made the partnership possible.

One of her students, Lexi, said that she gained real-world experience through the program and that she uses the skills she learned in other aspects of her life.

This program is an amazing opportunity for everyone interested in business, but even those who aren’t interested in that career will benefit from participating.