The Panther Market opened Monday, Sept. 14. It is run and operated by a group of DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) students. It is open between every block and it’s also open during lunch. The Panther Market is being run out of room 225.

The DECA students take time out of their school day to help sell things like, Cheez-its, beef jerky, nutrition bars, gum, crackers and so much more. They also have various drinks including, ICE flavored drinks, grape juice, diet drinks, hugs, and water. The Panther Market has “20 to 50” customers a day according to Schrader.

They make a varied profit each year from the market. They make around about a few thousand off of the market according to Kimberly Schrader.

The money made, goes to help fund DECA activities such as competitions. The competitions that they sign up for, cost a lot of money. If they make it to Nationals, it costs about $1,000 per a student. They competition is “all about marketing” said Schrader.

There are many students in DECA, but only some of them help out with the Panther Market. One of those people is Kaitlyn Johns, a senior who works the market during 5 block.

Jones says, “I love DECA. I think it is a really fun experience.” DECA is open to anyone in a marketing class. The students that are currently signed up get lots of quality information that help with the road ahead in life.

“We get to learn a lot of helpful skills that will help us in the future,” said Jones.

Students in DECA are prepared for life from all the skills they have learned or will learn in future years.