In a secluded out cove in the cafeteria, tucked away far from prying eyes, individuals quietly meet and manipulate an exchange of certain goods for money.  Currency from quarters to fifty-dollar bills are utilized as payment, and the buyers take their product and disappear back into the sea of students in the cafeteria, their faces blending into the hundreds of individuals.  The seller meanwhile counts the money made during the buy, and upon finishing places the legal tender into a weathered cash register.  He or she then takes flight before the end of the lunch period, noiselessly exiting the cafeteria before the other students.  This act is repeated four periods a day, five days a week. This is the School Store.

Many students don’t know about these business meetings.  Consequently, the workers of the North Penn School Store want to get the word out.  The members of the Future Business Leaders of America who regularly staff the school store during their lunch periods hope for an increase in customers.

Located between the Main Cafeteria and the Senior Café, the school store and the FBLA members who staff it are often passed by as students roam through the crowded lunch room.  However, those who venture inside the school store are often surprised by what is available.  Materials such as gum, mints, and pencils are sold, and North Penn themed gear such as t-shirts, sweatpants, hoodies, and even wind breakers are always for sale.  Buyers are routinely satisfied with their purchases, and many students leave the school store with a bold NP covering the chest of their new shirt or hoodie.

“The school store is here to facilitate spirit wear,” said FBLA member Max Altomare, a senior who regularly works at the store.  “I came to the school store because I like the idea of being able to help kids out, every day, to get them a pack of gum or a pencil or whatever they need to get through the day.”

The marketing of North Penn clothing is an effective method in spreading school spirit amongst students.  Often the best billboards are walking billboards, and pupils are commonly seen sporting NP themed gear outside of the building and drumming up support for their classmates at school events.

“Everyone can come in and buy some school spirit,” added senior KC Carelli, another FBLA member who staffs the store, “It’s great when you walk around the hallways and you see people wearing North Penn gear and supporting our school.”

Low on gum?  Stop by the school store.  Need a pencil for that test next period?  You only need a quarter to guarantee peace of mind.

The North Penn school store is a true bastion of school spirit, and will undoubtedly continue to spread North Penn pride throughout each student.