HCHS Entrepreneurship students gain real-world experience through Cyclone Brew
HARLAN —Students in the Harlan Community High School Entrepreneurship class are getting a true taste of business ownership as they operate the school-based coffee shop, Cyclone Brew. The class, made up of sophomores, juniors, and seniors, provides hands-on experience in finance, marketing, customer service, and day-to-day business management.
Participating students include:
12th Grade: Arianna Daniels (manager), Jake Wageman, Joseph Urizar Lopez, Mason Goetzinger, Kennedy Nippert, Ayden Redmon, Hugo Dominguez, Paige Sonderman, Addison Wicks, Sofia Gallardo Barajas, Bartolo Perez, Ellerie Nelson.
11th Grade: Kobe Klassen, Camryn Goshorn, Mariajose Guerrero Luna.
10th Grade: Barret Kaufman, Cole Koesters, Charlotte Mages, Raymond Schechinger.
To enroll in Entrepreneurship, students must first complete Marketing and/or Accounting—ensuring they enter the course with a strong foundation in business concepts. Thanks to the comprehensive offerings of the HCHS Business Department, most students step into the project with experience in finance, marketing, or both.
Operating Cyclone Brew gives students hands-on experience dealing with the expectations of a real workplace. As they greet customers, take orders, manage busy rush periods, and solve daily challenges, they develop needed employability skills, including professional communication, time management, problem-solving, multitasking, and teamwork, which are all qualities which benefit students no matter their future career paths. The authentic decision-making required to run the shop mirrors what business owners face in real time.
To keep the operation running smoothly, the class is organized into three primary teams:
Finance Experts – Calculate costs, margins, and oversee financial planning.
Marketing Specialists – Build the brand, manage social media, and connect with the customer base.
Point-of-Sale Team – Handle the POS system, record sales, track inventory, add menu items, and apply discounts.
All students take turns working shifts at the shop, sharing responsibilities and gaining firsthand customer-service experience.
A leadership team also supports daily operations, stepping in whenever supplies, schedules, or procedures need attention. Leadership members are: Kobe Klassen (11), Arianna Daniels (12), Ellerie Nelson (12), and Paige Sonderman (12).
The HCHS Business Department guides all aspects of the program. Entrepreneurship teacher Mrs. Jacie Stuerman leads the class, while Mr. Chad Swanson and Mr. Dan Ahrens assist with supervision and on-site training during coffee shop shifts.
HCHS Students are only allowed to order from a limited menu before school begins, and a full menu is available to teachers and staff throughout the day, with delivery available to staff during first and second hour. Cyclone Brew will also be open during home events, including volleyball, basketball, and wrestling. The full menu for events will include specialty coffee, lemonades, Cyclone Surge, and ice cream.
Together, the program and the coffee shop provide a powerful, real-world learning environment—one that prepares students for future careers while strengthening their confidence, professionalism, and business skills.
A grand opening for Cyclone Brew will be held Thursday, December 4 at 4 p.m.
