The Purple Brew & Technology Program

By Aubrey Andrade

Searching for a cozy spot to enjoy a cup of coffee while supporting your local high school? Check out The Purple Brew, the newest addition at Bowling Green High School. This vibrant coffee shop opened on January 2, 2024. The Purple Brew has quickly become a favorite hangout spot for both students and faculty, thanks to its inviting ambiance and delicious coffee and breakfast options. Managed entirely by a group of ten students who were hand-picked through a rigorous application process, The Purple Brew offers an opportunity for students to gain valuable work experience while earning $10 per hour. 

Dalla Emberson, who is responsible for managing the food inventory at The Purple Brew, provided insight into the student’s jobs. All the students who work at The Purple Brew have undergone an extensive training program, which includes one week of online food safety and federal regulation training, and one week in the school cafeteria, where they learn how to prepare and serve food and operate the cash register, and one week in the coffee shop, where they get to know the equipment and working area. 

If you decide to have a breakfast meal at The Purple Brew, you can get coffee or hot chocolate for free. However, if you only want to purchase coffee or hot chocolate, the price for a hot or cold espresso drink is $2.75. Hot Chocolate or Chai costs $1.75, while Hot Teas and Coffee are $1.25. 

The school provides complimentary breakfast and lunch for all students, but The Purple Brew's program is exclusively for students and not for faculty members. The coffee shop has had a soft opening, and Mr. McGraw, the school principal, is optimistic that more customers will visit in the coming days and weeks. 

In addition to the coffee shop, Bowling Green High School offers a Technology Internship Program for students to earn extra money. This program is a beneficiary through the school district. The program pays students $10 per hour, and they get hands-on experience repairing and maintaining the district's Chromebooks. Currently, seven students are in the program. They work under the supervision of the IT staff. The IT staff is responsible for troubleshooting and fixing any issues that may arise with the devices in all district buildings. This program is helping the school save money and resources and allows students to gain valuable skills and knowledge that can prepare them for a career in technology.

During an interview with senior Brooks Geron, he was asked whether the program only focuses on fixing and installing certain things within the school or if they work in other places as well. Brooks replied that as a co-op student, he has an excellent opportunity to work remotely at other locations to address more complex issues. 

This year, Brooks is the only student in this technology internship program. Students enrolled in the program have dedicated class periods. This program provides students with meaningful skills and practical experience repairing and maintaining Chromebooks, while also developing essential problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.

This program can inspire students to pursue higher education or employment in one technology field, benefit the school's reputation, and save resources. The Chromebook Help Desk is entirely student-run, and the only thing the IT employees do is transport the devices. With this, the school has won the Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) Help Desk Competition multiple times, which signifies that they are the best student help desk in the state that competes at STLP.

The Technology Internship Program and The Purple Brew are exclusive prospects for students to acquire hands-on experience while also supporting their local high school. Whether you wish to enhance your technology skills or simply crave a cup of coffee, Bowling Green High School possesses all that you need! These programs are a great way for students to gain practical experience while contributing to the betterment of the community.