OSHKOSH (NBC 26) -- The perfect cup of coffee can make you feel ready to face the day. Students at Oshkosh West High School are putting on their barista aprons and learning some valuable life skills.
From perfecting the whip cream twirl on your lattes, to adding your favorite flavoring to your iced coffees, this is the Wildcat Cafe. It started back 2010.
“It's an authentic setting for students to learn, work related skills,” explained teacher Mary Beth Connors. “Our goal is that those work-related skills are transferred so they're successfully employed in our community.”
These baristas are all volunteer students. Connors says while these students are having fun, they're learning valuable skills.
“Following schedules, work tasks, work stamina, and how to work with an adverse team,” said Connors.
Team members at the cafe, have done so well, they've built a second location at school. Students say they've seen business grow.
“There have been waves of thirty plus people,” said senior Seth Boegh.
Boegh has been working here for three years.
“We got coffee, iced coffee, cappuccinos, expressos, lemonade, all that good stuff,” said Boegh. “I got the opportunity, and the teachers there are pretty cool.”
It’s a place for students to hangout, but more importantly, grow as an individual.
“Our mission is in line with the Oshkosh area school district mission, we are to prepare all students to be community career and college ready,” said Connors.
All the money made goes right back into Oshkosh West High School.
