Meyersdale students enter into business venture
Meyersdale Area Middle School students have gotten started on a new venture that is designed to develop entrepreneurial skills and foster school spirit. Because of a grant through the Meyersdale Area Educational Fund, the Middle School Store has opened.
According to Craig Tresnicky, adviser, the store will be operated by students and will offer products such as school supplies, school spirit items and much more. The inventory will be based on suggestions from the student body. Organizers hope to include vinyl letters and heat press to make custom T-shirts.
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Tresnicky said he has approximately 12 students involved in the set-up process, but expects that number to grow as the project progresses. Taylor Pritts, Ashley Miller and Chalyce Miller are among those assisting with this new business venture.
Pritts said she is excited to be a part of this project and believes it will be a true asset to the middle school.
“I would describe the store as a great, helpful opportunity. For example, you can get school necessities like pencils, highlighters and erasers. We have items like stickers, highlighters, water bottles, erasers, finger puppets and more. We also sell T-shirts that you can customize with vinyl,” Pritts said. “I like being involved with the store because it can help me with figuring out how to organize money and business in the future.”
Tresnicky will handle communication with students and work with students on math concepts. Tammy Hetrick, middle school secretary, will work with students to operate the store and track the stock and transactions.
“Store operators will be given real life applications of management, accounting, and leadership,” said Tresnicky. “The students running the store will need to have an interest in becoming an entrepreneur or a career in marketing, management or retail. They will learn math skills like keeping track of inventory, cost, revenue, profit and profit margins.”
Chalyce Miller called it a “one-stop shop” and believes it will not just serve a need but also serve as a means to teach and inspire.
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“I wanted to be involved with the Middle School Store because I would love to open a business of my own one day,” she said.
Students have been involved in every aspect of the project, including the purchase of inventory, building the actual cart to showcase merchandise and setting a price list. The store held its grand opening on Dec. 2.
According to Ashley Miller, the hours the store will be open will coincide with students’ free time.
“It is being run by seventh and eighth graders during first and second lunch on Fridays," she said. "If you forgot to bring money on Friday, then Mrs. Hetrick is running it every day during school hours.”
Tresnicky said the response by those organizing and those patronizing the Middle School Store has been overwhelmingly positive and he is excited to see it grow and thrive.
“The store gives some leadership opportunities for students beyond what we currently have available. I am hoping that it will get some students interested in some future careers like marketing, sales, or becoming an entrepreneur,” he said.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Meyersdale students open Middle School Store
