NRHS DECA reporter

Emily Klohn, a former DECA Warrior, contacted the Marketing Education Coordinators at Nansemond River High School and requested permission to complete a project for her Principles of Advertising Class that she is taking this summer.

She is currently enrolled at Tidewater Community College. Professor David Lydick requires his students to complete a Service Learning &uot;Opportunity&uot; Project-Accomplish a Task.

Michele Duncan, DECA Advisor, was very pleased with Emily’s project. J.B. Varney has been operating the Nansemond River store for fourteen years. He took responsibility for keeping the &uot;latest&uot; technology in the school store. The students are trained to go into the workforce.

Mr. Varney has been transferred to Kings Fork High School. He will operate a school store at Kings Fork High School. The two Marketing teachers hold over forty years of experience. Mrs. Duncan was responsible for ordering and shopping for merchandise and supplies for the school store. Now she will be back in the store on a daily basis.

Klohn enlisted Danielle Bailey, Assistant Manager at Papa John’s in Suffolk. The two spent several hours cleaning, redesigning, and organizing the school store. Mike Vigenski, Area Supervisor for Papa John’s was very pleased to help with the school project. &uot;The training the students receive in the school store will benefit the business community. I am glad that Danielle volunteered to help with this project.&uot;

The purpose of operating the school store, &uot;The Warriors’ Den&uot; is to help students learn how to incorporate all available resources in setting up a small business.

Students enrolled in Marketing Education, order and design school/community clothing, maintain inventory, and operate the store.

The school store operates on a daily basis throughout the school year. It opens before school starts, giving students the opportunity to purchase a variety of merchandise, balloons, and school supplies before the day starts.

The students involved in the operation of the school store have the opportunity to purchase, price and sell products to the student body, faculty, staff and public.

The students maintain stock, set up displays, operate a computerized inventory system, and cash register using bar codes.

The students also make and deliver a variety of balloon bouquets, design and sell school spirit clothes and spirit items, and maintain business records. This opportunity also gives students the opportunity to learn management skills. They also learn to work under pressure.

The DECA members participate in operating the school store. The project puts an emphasis on the process of starting a business. The project also emphasizes how to set up and maintain a business. The DECA Advisor is S. Michele Duncan.