Last semester, MCHS partnered with the Hidden Pearl Coffeeshop to bring their caffeinated beverages to West Campus. The coffee shop, aptly named The Hidden Pearl West, started serving coffee to sleepy students and teachers the morning of Dec. 3rd and continued for a three-week trial period.

“The coffee at the Hidden Pearl in West Campus is an amazing addition to MCHS,” said Senior Zachary Krzyzak. “I got the caramel iced coffee, and it tasted like something I would get from Dunkin Donuts or McDonald’s.”

Many schools have programs similar to the one being tested at West, but typically they are run by students in the foods program or culinary classes, whereas The Hidden Pearl West is supported by the Warrior Buddies Program, a student-led organization that promotes inclusion and acceptance of all students, with and without disabilities.

Warrior Buddies was already running the Warrior Warehouse during lunch periods with the profits going toward their organization, but Assistant Principal Greg Eiserman said there was talk of expanding that program.

“It actually started with the Warrior Warehouse and really upgrading that,” Eiserman said. 

Getting the shop started required a lot prior planning. There were several procedures and approval stamps required from the higher-ups in the school’s administration and school board in order for the program to get the green light.

The committee of students overseen mainly by Eiserman, who has been working for a while to make school more fun for kids.

The coffee shop proceeds will not be going to the school, but a certain percentage has been agreed to go to the Warrior Buddies. Warrior Buddies is a program for special education students which helps develop more social skills and workplace skills within high school. Warrior Buddies has also collaborated with the Hidden Pearl for homecoming events, such as Paint the Town. After the event, the owner had mentioned a desire to partner with the program in the future. 

“The owner of Hidden Pearl wanted students to have opportunities to volunteer as an employee in the school,” said Madison Karr, a special education teacher at West Campus. “It’s a great opportunity for our students to meet other teachers in our building and get more involved in the school while developing soft skills for employment, such as customer service.” 

Every morning the teachers have the chance to order coffee and after the bell rings the warrior buddies go to the coffee shop, pick up the teacher’s orders, and deliver the coffee that was ordered.

The Hidden Pearl West reopened on Monday, March 11 after a successful trial and is now open for business.