The student store has evolved over the years. What began in the 1970s in the small section across from the cafeteria, to what today’s student store is now run by Mr.Marker in the large room beside the outdoor courtyard in the commons. Two years ago, the managers implemented with one main manager and assistant managers for each section.
Over the summer of 2025, the Greater Latrobe Senior High School Student Store Managers, Juniors Mateo Dorazio, Raelyn Kantola, Alexa Yurko, and Kaylee Androstic, came into school for 3 weeks in a row, dedicating countless hours to upgrading the student store. Before they started, they went through and donated any food that would expire over the summer to a food bank. They then volunteered their free time to repaint the walls black, giving the store a sleek, modern look that completely transformed its atmosphere.
One of the most painstaking and time-consuming tasks was taking inventory, which took over a week as they counted and recorded every single item in the store, from spirit wear, such as t-shirts, hoodies, and hats with wildcat designs, to accessories and jewelry like the wildcat paw silver earrings and the orange and black bracelets. Once the inventory was complete, the managers completely emptied and deep-cleaned the store to ensure it was ready for the 2025-2026 school year.
The entire process was both physically and mentally exhausting, but the students’ determination and teamwork drove them to create a welcoming space that every student can enjoy and feel proud of.
Assistant manager Raelyn Kantola shares, “In the past, we just kept past clothing locked up in the storage room, and we had them in cardboard boxes that were basically falling apart. Our manager, Mateo, decided to get some nice containers that are clear, and we put some paper on the front that showed what each clothing item was.” The student workers can now easily find and access different sizes of clothing if they can not find it on the shelf by checking the clear storage containers underneath, instead of digging through boxes.
Another fan favorite is the new paint job, which, as Mr. Marker, adviser of the student store, says, ”The all black makes everything look so slick and clean and sophisticated.” This leads to overall improvements and the attention it draws.
“I think the improvements are really important, and I think it will draw in lots of customers now that we have a new look, and people can recognize that and say ‘Oh, this is something maybe I haven’t noticed before’, and will want to buy something new,” said Dorazio.
Mr. Marker agreed. “I feel the new improvements have really benefited our customers, and it just makes the space a lot more, I guess you could say user-friendly, that it is more welcoming for when, especially out of school guests come into the building, it just gives a more, more to look at, and gives us a more organized look in the store,” he said. In simple words, the improvements will make shopping more enjoyable for anyone, in school, out of school, or even visitors from far away.
A visitor to the school from Florida was quite impressed with the spread, the collection of named spirit wear, and the “employees.” The updates will also help draw attention to anyone who may not know that the store is there.
Other than the managers, assistant manager Alexa Yurko said that they had a few helping hands from the other student council members. “I think everyone did their part. I want to give a shoutout to the other student council members who came to help us do inventory, because that was very helpful. It would’ve taken a lot longer if we didn’t have any help.”
Today, walking into the store is a completely different experience. The updated space is brighter, more organized, and has a vibrant energy that reflects the hard work and dedication of the managers. The store has become a popular spot to shop for school spirit gear and unique finds. “The managers did a great job over the summer. We have a lot of new inventory, such as zip-ups, new t-shirts, and hats with all brand new designs that they had to take into account, and they just got everything organized in a timely manner,” said Mr. Marker. The managers’ efforts have not only improved the store itself but have also fostered a sense of pride and community within the school.
