Conant's Cougar Perk cafe gives students hands-on work experience
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Junior Mackenzie Medema, a student in the Practices in Entrepreneurship class at Conant High School, works at Cougar Perk, Conant High School's student-run cafe. Students operate every aspect of the business. Courtesy of Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211
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Cougar Perk, Conant High School's student-run cafe, returns for its 14th year. Courtesy of Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211
James B. Conant High School's student-run cafe Cougar Perk made its 14th debut this winter.

The cafe, designed at this point for staff in the early morning hours, is a collaboration between students enrolled in Conant's business and family and consumer science classes.

During second semester, students at the Hoffman Estates school operate every aspect of the cafe -- from building a menu to baking fresh morning treats and operating the business.
The result is tasty hands-on learning.