Every year students participate in the community in order to make money for their school. Chemistry teacher Joshua Murphy is in charge of running the Junior Executive Committee. People can sign up for this their sophomore year, and be elected by their fellow classmates. This job comes with responsibility! This group’s main job is to make money for the upcoming prom like the current seniors did the year before. This is accomplished through the concession stands.
Murphy has meetings at the beginning of the year before football season starts with new members of the Junior Executive Committee. This is where students get their schedule for the year. Basically, students start working home football games and Little Bulldog games on Thursdays. People are spread out so they are not in charge of working every week. This way, students can still have fun in the student section.
On Friday nights, students in the Junior Executive Committee arrive at the game around five o’clock. This way they can be there early enough to set up. This includes making sure everything is restocked, warming up food beforehand, and setting up an efficient money system. Before every game, pizza has to be ordered and picked up because this is one of the main sellers. It is important to be prepared! Even though the game doesn’t start until seven, normally people start showing up at the concessions around five-thirty to six.
Typically, eight students work the concessions at a time. This accounts for people to serve the customers, others to make food, some to pick stuff, and that leaves the rest to make drinks. Although the concession stands are small, there is a lot going on in there! Business starts ramping up around half-time when the band is done with their performance.
The concession stand focuses on selling pizza, hotdogs, popcorn, and nachos. Along with this there are many drinks ranging from Gatorades, Monsters, pops, and slushies, to hot chocolates and cappuccinos. Young kids at the games also love the candy on display. Students try their best to get every order to the customers quick, and keep the line moving fast while also making people happy.
I asked Junior Cassie Klotz: What is your favorite thing to buy at the concession stand? Cassie stated, “My favorite thing to get at the concession would have to be the chocolate bars.”
Although chocolate bar sales are a given, it is not always as easy for every other product! Unfortunately, students have to face obstacles while running the concession stands! Sometimes there is more business than usual and they run out of pizza, or fewer customers show up and too much food is left over. There is also a chance it is too hot in the stand for the slushies to freeze. These factors teach students that nothing is perfect, and shows them how to problem solve. After the football season ends the committee is on to the next sport!
Basketball concession stands are also student-ran! Since prom is not until the very end of the year, having multiple sport seasons beforehand is helpful when raising money. The same rules and functions apply to this concession stand, but slightly different food may be sold based on the season. In the end, they have the same goal!
I asked a member of the Junior Executive Committee: Would you rather work the stand during football or basketball season? Junior Olivia Petrilla said, “I would choose football season, because I cheer during basketball season. I won’t get a chance to work then.”
This is why it is important for others to be flexible. If someone can’t make it to their shift, normally another student will cover for them so the stand is not short-staffed. This way the business will run more efficiently. Making money for Prom is great, but students have to make sure it is regulated correctly! Giving change is very important. Lots of people are stopping in and quick math is important. Customers will not be impressed if they are given back the wrong change. The students running the concession stand are always on their A-game.
The concession stand is not only a way to help out the community, but it is also a social setting to make new friends in the process. Whether someone is buying or selling, everyone is helping each other out. Every sale benefits the sport fans, students, school, and dance fund.
Prom is an important part of a student’s high school experience, especially for the seniors since it is their last one. This dance lets students make memories that can last a lifetime. It is a way to have fun with your classmates outside of the confines of a classroom. This day may be an important stress reliever or distraction from school. Instead of the normal everyday routine people get to dress up, take pictures with their friends, get a nice dinner, and dance together.
I asked Senior Aidan O’Rourke: What is your favorite part about prom? Aidan stated, “I think the best part of the night would be when they play the seniors song at the end of the dance. I am looking forward to being a part of it this year.”
It is important to Lakeview to go above and beyond for prom. Unlike homecoming, it is not located at the school. A nice venue is reserved, and food is served for students who attend! The night is supposed to be memorable, therefore the money to buy these nice things is important. It is all thanks to the concession stands!
