Wyandotte Students Win Gold for School-Based Enterprise

The school store at Roosevelt High School now has gold. But, you can't buy it.

The Trading Post recently received Gold Level Certification from DECA in the school-based enterprise certification program, which was developed to provide recognition for outstanding achievement by school-based enterprises and to motivate students working at said enterprises to strive for excellence and growth, according to a DECA release.

Roosevelt students Jesse Knowles and Joana Musa, with the assistance of adviser Elissa Cumiskey, were among 166 other school-based enterprises to achieve DECA's highest level of certification.

"School-based enterprises are effective educational tools in helping to prepare students for the transition from school to work or college," according to the same release. "For many students, they provide the first work experience; for others, they provide an opportunity to build management, supervision and leadership skills."

Knowles and Musa said The Trading Post has given them many essential business skills.

"Performing this project has opened new doors for me and has given me a powerful writing experience for college papers," Knowles said. "It’s developed my communication skills and my ability to work as a team."

Musa, manager at The Trading Post, said the school-based enterprise helped her understand customer service and the retail industry.

"I love managing our school store because I can be social and professional at the same time," Musa said.

Musa and Knowels will be recognized at DECA's International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, CA.

DECA is a non-profit student organization preparing its members for careers in marketing, management, finance and hospitality, according to the release.