Cafe Achieve began in 2013 as a small selection of breakfast and snack items displayed on a movable counter in the back…
Cafe Achieve Ribbon Cutting
Cafe Achieve began in 2013 as a small selection of breakfast and snack items displayed on a movable counter in the back of the West Geauga High School cafeteria. It derived its name from the students in the Geauga Achieve program who sold these items for about two hours every morning. Geauga Achieve is an educational program that houses students with special programming needs from several Geauga County school districts. The program is located in West Geauga High School.
This year, thanks to the efforts of West Geauga High School Principal Jay Bishop, Cafe Achieve became a much more visible part of West Geauga High School when it moved from the cafeteria to its new home in what was formerly the Student Activities Office.
In its new extensively renovated space, complete with new plumbing and sink, granite countertops, cabinetry, stainless steel fixtures and appliances, tables and chairs, Cafe Achieve offers an inviting atmosphere to students and staff wishing to shop there throughout the school day. Accent lighting adds a nice touch to the interior of the cafe that is visible through its hallway wall of windows.
The new Cafe Achieve provides a wonderful opportunity for Geauga Achieve students to interact with their typical peers, who also work and purchase items from the cafe.
Students from Danielle Emans’ business class oversee many of the operational tasks associated with the cafe. The business students gain work experience in accounting, advertising, releasing products and maintaining inventory. Project Achieve students work side by side with their typical peers to greet customers and conduct sales. All students learn valuable life-long communication and socialization skills in the process.
In addition to food items, Cafe Achieve sells West Geauga clothing items and school spirit gifts to its customers. In fact, members of the West Geauga Athletic Boosters were integral to the program’s success. Much of the money, materials and labor needed to create the new cafe were donated by school groups, community organizations and generous individuals. Those resources and funds provided by the West Geauga Board of Education made Mr. Bishop’s vision a reality.
According to Bishop, “This would not have been accomplished without the help of many volunteers, donations and the support of the administration.”
It is truly an example of successful community partnerships at work.
WGMS Geography Bee
Out of all the students competing to be the next Geography Bee champion, it was not long before the field of 22 narrowed to two. Students Jolee Baker and Michael Seebold were the final competitors.
Answering two of the final three questions correctly, Seebold took the lead, making him the new WGMS Geography Bee winner.
With this win, Seebold advances to the next level of the competition where he will take a written test. If he passes the written test, he will then advance to the state level.
