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Ground Up Coffee Shop Student Q&A
September 19, 2018 - On Wednesday, September 5, Hillsboro School District celebrated the grand opening of its first community-based Marketing Lab experience for high school students: a coffee shop in First Tech’s new Hillsboro Corporate Office, located across the street from the District’s administration center. Scroll down to check out their individual stories or click here to read more.
Koby Sou – Hillsboro High School – Grade: 12 | ||
Current post-high school plans: | Study business management. | |
Job/Career do you see yourself pursuing: | Business | |
What attracted you to this opportunity and/or what do you like best about it so far?: |
It sounded like a great opportunity to learn about the behind the scenes part of a business. |
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What is your motto or a favorite quote/saying?: | “Hard work beats talent, when talent fails to work hard” -Tim Notke | |
What is your favorite coffeehouse drink?: | Iced Irish cream caramel macchiato | |
What music do you like to listen to when sipping on that drink?: | Old school r&b/hip-hop | |
Other fun fact: |
I was born on my brother’s 3rd birthday. |
Nathan LaMora – Hillsboro High School – Grade: 12 | ||
Current post-high school plans: | I plan to attend Portland State University with a major in business management and administration. | |
Job/Career do you see yourself pursuing: | I could see myself pursuing retail management | |
What attracted you to this opportunity and/or what do you like best about it so far?: | I was attracted to this program because I love the subject of business management and marketing and wanted to have a real-life application with it. I also want to improve my social skills. I love the people at First Tech, they’re all extremely nice. | |
What is your motto or a favorite quote/saying?: | “Pain is temporary, pride lasts forever” -Jesse Austin | |
What is your favorite coffeehouse drink?: | Iced caramel macchiato with extra pumps of salted caramel. | |
What music do you like to listen to when sipping on that drink?: | Classic, progressive and psychedelic rock | |
Other fun fact: | I enjoy running, playing music and collecting comics. |
Ashley Fallgren – Hillsboro High School – Grade: 12 | ||
Current post-high school plans: | Not sure where I want to go for college, but I know I was to study business | |
Job/Career do you see yourself pursuing: | Not really sure, but something business related. | |
What attracted you to this opportunity and/or what do you like best about it so far?: | The chance to learn barista skills to use for a real job at a coffee shop. Sounded fun, I like making the drinks and working the machine. | |
What is your motto or a favorite quote/saying?: | “Luck is preparation meets opportunity” | |
What is your favorite coffeehouse drink?: | Iced caramel macchiato | |
What music do you like to listen to when sipping on that drink?: | Today’s hip hop | |
Other fun fact: | I’m a level 10 gymnast |
Carlos Ramirez – Century High School – Grade: 11 | ||
Current post-high school plans: | Entrepreneur | |
Job/Career do you see yourself pursuing: | Being a business owner and photography | |
What attracted you to this opportunity and/or what do you like best about it so far?: | It’s a great real world experience and I enjoy serving the community | |
What is your motto or a favorite quote/saying?: | “My name is Jeff” -Channing Tatum: 22 Jump Street | |
What is your favorite coffeehouse drink?: | Cinnamon brown sugar latte | |
What music do you like to listen to when sipping on that drink?: | Tame Impala | |
Other fun fact: | I love music and photography aside from making coffee. |
Jackson Strunk – Hillsboro High School – Grade: 12 | ||
Current post-high school plans: | College at PCC then PSU | |
Job/Career do you see yourself pursuing: | Business possibly accounting | |
What attracted you to this opportunity and/or what do you like best about it so far?: | What I like best so far is the great people I work with. | |
What is your motto or a favorite quote/saying?: | “Hard work does not guarantee you anything but without it you are nothing” - Pat Riley | |
What is your favorite coffeehouse drink?: | Iced vanilla latte | |
What music do you like to listen to when sipping on that drink?:
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Hip Hop |
Isaak Chin Prom – Century High School – Grade: 12 | ||
Current post-high school plans: | Attend PCC or PSU | |
Job/Career do you see yourself pursuing: | Become an entrepreneur or something with business | |
What attracted you to this opportunity and/or what do you like best about it so far?: | The chance to learn how to start something from the “ground up” and work in a real environment. Also, I love the fast paced action and working with friends. | |
What is your motto or a favorite quote/saying?: | “Is Pepsi ok?” -servers everywhere | |
What is your favorite coffeehouse drink?: | Black forest mochas | |
What music do you like to listen to when sipping on that drink?: | Indie Pop | |
Other fun fact: | I thrift all of my business formal and casual attire, I love Goodwill so much. |
Faith Kealohilani Valdez – Ground Up First Tech Location Manager | ||
What did you do after High School: | I went to school at PCC. | |
What have you done prior to this: | Preschool Teacher | |
What attracted you to this opportunity and/or what do you like best about it so far?: | Working with younder kids so I wanted to expand my experience. | |
What is your motto or a favorite quote/saying?: | She believed she could, so she did” -R.S. Grey | |
What is your favorite coffeehouse drink?: | Iced white chocolate mocha with half & half. | |
What music do you like to listen to when sipping on that drink?: | Disney music. | |
Other fun fact: | I'm a Hilhi alumni |
Melissa Pendergrass – Ground Up General Manager | ||
Current position/location: | College & Career Counselor – Hillsboro High School | |
How long you’ve worked in education: | 13 years | |
Previous education jobs: | Business & Marketing Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Instructional Technology Specialist | |
What is one thing you love about your current job: | Being able to work with students in a capacity that allows me provide exposure and access to experiences that show them the endless opportunities available to them beyond high school. | |
What is one great piece of advice you give to students: | Don’t be afraid to try something that hasn’t been done before. | |
Anything else you’d like to share? (fun fact about yourself, family stuff, etc.) | I am a first generation high school graduate and college graduate. I have connected with my passion in the role of College & Career Counselor where I have the opportunity to support students, like myself, who are growing up in households that may not necessarily understand how to navigate the systems of college admissions and financial aid. I love helping to bridge that gap for our students. |