Gifted students present business plan

Cameron County High School's gifted students: from left, Joey Botera, Cassie Pearsall, Grant Vassallo, Matt Melott and Meredith Caldwell

"Cookies are good with milk, but even better with friends."

This was the catchy slogan Cameron County gifted students used to decorate the introduction of their business plan in a presentation they gave last week at Business Fair Competition held at the University of Pittsburgh's Bradford campus.

According to gifted teacher, Jen Olivettt, their proposed idea was to open a restaurant in Emporium called "Milk and Cookies."

"Open 7 days a week, this student-run restaurant would serve coffee, latte, smoothies, and yes, milk in three flavors along with warm, fragrant, fresh baked cookies made to order," said Olivett.

One of the plan's main goals was to provide a safe, cool place for teenagers to hang out with friends and relax.

"The restaurant would feature couches and sidetables, smiling faces, movie nights, video game competitions and a senior citizen bingo night, just to name a few things."

Students involved in developing this plan and presentation were Cassie Pearsall, Matt Melott, Joey Botera, Grant Vassallo, and Meredith Caldwell.

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford hosted this event to encourage the students to think "outside the box" and focus on entrepreneurship - and be offered some business expertise from college professors and area experts in the process.