Manteca High to offer new business classes next year

By OLIVIA GYGER and LEO MUNGUIA
The Tower

Every day at Manteca High, during both lunches, students line up in the student store. From chips, granola bars, and drinks to hoodies, hats, and scarves, the student store has everything a student might need on campus.

The student store is one part of Manteca High’s business program. With classes such as business and accounting, students are given everything they need in order to succeed.

Manteca High offers programs, college credits, and in-school experiences for students trying to learn about business. Learning from these business programs can help students in the real world trying to get jobs. Students learn many skills such as communication with others, teamwork in stressful environments, and problem solving.

Learning these skills helps enhance the ability to work strongly with others in a professional environment.

“Business is something for everyone,” says Brianna Vega. “It’s a skill that can be transferred into many things.”

The business program, including the student store, are not new to Manteca High School’s campus. Being a part of our campus for more than 20 years, these programs have benefited many students over the years.

“I’ve had a lot of students that have gotten jobs because of the skills they have learned while working in the student store,” said business teacher Debbie Hill.

With the vast selection of classes to choose from, there is a course for everyone within the business branch at MHS. In addition to being part of a fun and hands-on environment, students can also earn college credits.

“We have articulated classes with Delta College,” said Hill. “So students can actually earn Delta College credits.”

Some of the benefits include communication skills, teamwork, critical thinking, leadership, problem-solving. All are crucial within any professional environment, Hill said. Having access to business programs on campus gives students at Manteca High the opportunity to enhance these skills that will help them thrive in the future. Within these programs, students are taught about budgeting, investing, and savings.

Having business electives available to students on campus is extremely important.

Many students hope to pursue a career withing the business industry one day, so, having these classes available to them is a huge help. Being able to learn the many skills that come with the class can help students get ahead in the future. Being taught these skills at a young and impressionable age can leave an extremely positive impact on the behavior and thought process of our youth.

“I think it’s also important from your personal perspective again to make sure that you understand how to save and invest your money,” said Hill.

Being on campus for 21 years and directing the student store for more than a decade, Hill has dedicated her own time before and after school to keeping the student store open and accessible to students. Hill takes great pride in her job as a business teacher.

“My favorite part about teaching business is how you can really apply it to the real world,” said Hill. “It helps students become successful not only here in high school, but also in their future.”

Hill plays a major role in the development of our students here at Manteca High, and without her, many students would not have the opportunities that they have available now in regard to business.

Manteca High student Andrea Lopez contributed to this report.