High school students are running Leo's Little Kitchen to help pay for tuition for low-income students at Immanuel Christian School in Luzerne County.
HAZLETON, Pa. — Immanuel Christian School high school students are busy working at Leo's Little Kitchen. This is the week the school's CEO Susan Selby's dream breakfast spot opens.
Leo's Little Kitchen is based in the former location of Donut Connection and helps provide tuition assistance for low-income students at Immanuel Christian School.
Leo's Little Kitchen is completely student-run. Students began their 2023 business plans with support from Penn State Hazelton LaunchBox. There, students participated in a series of entrepreneurship classes that provided them with the tools and skills to implement Leo's Little Kitchen.
“Yes, so we have a partnership with the Penn State Launch Pad, and high school students have classes at the launch pad. They walk from the high school to the launch pad twice a week all year round and do all kinds of things. “I learned things about how to run a business,” Selby said.
“I have never seen a group of students more excited to learn about cash flow, statements, and inventory management,” said William Anderhazy, Penn State Entrepreneurship Coordinator. “The level has been amazing throughout,” he added.
Now, students have learned how to build a business from scratch while taking orders and serving coffee.
“It was a great experience learning business skills and learning how to actually run a business and how to open a business. And that's what made it what it is,” Sarah Polashenski said. She is a fourth-year student at Immanuel Christian School.
Nicole Tejeda, a third-year student at the school, added, “In the beginning, I would say starting this company requires a little bit of patience and perseverance, because in the beginning, nothing goes as planned.” .
Third-year student Javier Vasquez said, “It's rare for a school to open its own restaurant, so I think this is the first time, so I'm really looking forward to seeing how Leo's Kitchen turns out.'' at school.
Students can be seen working in Leo's Little Kitchen every Tuesday and Thursday.
