Shaq Tours MC to consider converting it to a Papa Johns 

Papa Johns is going global. No, not really.  They've only taken one step. The first expansion for Papa Johns is not only to a new city but to a new frontier: Mount Carmel High School, home of the Caravan.

Scott Tabernacki, the school's principal, was approached by “arguably the best center ever,” who made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. “He asked me if I would be on board for turning Mount Carmel into a Papa John's,” said Mr. Tabernacki.  “I didn't say yes immediately at first because there was a lot to consider, like the future of our students. But he threw in free freshly baked pizza, and I couldn’t refuse.”

Shaq is the face of Papa Johns and has ownership of the franchise and having his face on a failing company can ruin his reputation. This has led him to take extensive measures to ensure the success of the franchise.

Instead of the traditional high school core classes like math, science, and history, MC students are being enrolled in pizza-making classes. The new curriculum is designed to teach MC students new concepts, such as  “how to wash your hands” and “how to listen to Shaq’s instructions.” Upper-level classes for seniors focus on “how not to make a free throw” and “how to actually make a pizza.”

“A curriculum focused on pizza-making can help pave the way for Papa John’s expansion,” said Mr. Tabernacki with a mouth full of a whopping bite of his freshly cut pineapple and pepperoni pizza. “I feel like I'm doing these kids a favor because who doesn’t like pizza? It’s way more engaging than learning in some calculus class.”

Not everyone is convinced that this pizza takeover is the way forward. Parents especially have raised concerns. 

"I don't understand how learning to stretch dough is going to get my son into college," one concerned mother remarked when approaching Mr. Tabernacki, but Tabernacki insisted on this change. 

"This is the future of education," he said, ignoring parent concerns with a wave of his stained hand. "Besides, we're talking about free pizza at graduation for everyone. You can't put a price on that."

While it may be a little excessive, they must oblige Shaq's orders. “The two things I love in this world are basketball and pizza,” said the basketball Hall of Famer. “The education here comes after my pizza needs. What even is the name of this school again?” 

After all, Shaq is a four-time NBA championship winner and has the biggest order at Walmart, so maybe the school community should listen.

One faculty member, though, is all on board. “I say we get rid of the whole curriculum and teach these boys how to cook instead of all this English grammar,” said English teacher Mr. Tim Baffoe. “Maybe I can make a sandwich, too. Something like a Papadia.”

Tennis coach Mark Antonietti is incredibly excited about the changes. "I hope Papa John's sponsorship can get us a tennis court. I'm tired of driving 15 minutes every day just to find a place to practice," he said. "With pizza revenue, we might have the funds to create some real sports facilities, and who knows, maybe I can add learning how to create a pizza to my to-do list." 

Rumors are already swirling that the school's football field will be turned into "Barda-Dowling Pizza Bowl Stadium," with delivery drones dropping pizzas at halftime. 

 For now, it seems this shift in curriculum is the key to ensuring success for the future of Papa John’s because it can lead to expansion toward other high schools. Perhaps it also proposes a new beginning for Mount Carmel because instead of men being built on Dante, it will be pizza men built on Dante.