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Fremont students pitch student lounge and school-run café as work-based learning space
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Summary
Students at Fremont High School presented a concept to the school board for a student-operated lounge and combined concessions/culinary space intended to support work-based learning, vocational skills and on-campus decomposition and study space; the board asked presenters to begin cost estimates.
Students and staff presented a student-led plan to convert the existing canteen and a nearby Shearing Golf area on the high school’s second floor into a combined concessions/culinary capstone space and a student lounge.
The presenters — including student Reese Martin and student Aubrey Few — described a layout with a concessions pass-through that would serve a new lounge area, a separate culinary training zone for capstone projects, and a school-based business run in partnership with business and culinary classes. The students said the concessions/culinary space would be “half commercial kitchen and half concessions” to allow both daily sales and applied-skill instruction.
Student presenters said the lounge is designed as a decompression and study area with couches, standing tables and a broadcast corner to show games on lounge TVs while students relax or complete schoolwork. They also proposed a gaming area and a marketing booth with a cashless system plus a so-called "reverse ATM" that would convert cash into a school card for purchases, helping students without family-issued cards participate in the program.
“This would help prepare them for future employment,” said student Reese Martin, listing customer service, point-of-sale skills, time management and task sequencing as classroom‑to‑work connections. A student presenter said the group has not yet begun cost estimating: “We have not started estimating our cost yet. It’s just a rendering of what we think we could do.”
Board members and staff questioned structural and operational details: whether supporting beams would permit the changes, how the project would affect locker placement and ADA compliance, where cheerleaders would practice when spaces are repurposed, and whether adult supervision would be available. Presenters said Coach Parker would help coordinate pricing and fundraising if the board gives direction to proceed.
Board members encouraged the students to refine the plans and begin fundraising and cost estimates. No formal vote or funding commitment was taken; the board thanked the students and concluded the presentation so the student-athletes could leave for a game. The district indicated staff will follow up with more detailed cost and feasibility information if the board directs it at a future meeting.
