By Millie Thompson-Krug & Students
Shell Knob students are thrilled to announce the opening of Charger Mart, a school store developed by students themselves under the guidance of Millie Thompson-Krug, the store manager and middle school science teacher. Thanks to a generous donation from OMB Bank, the store can now offer bigger and better prizes than ever before.
Mr. Steve Bishop, Chief Operating Officer at OMB Bank and parent of three Shell Knob students, recognized the chance to support both the school and these young leaders. He shared, “At OMB Bank, community is at the heart of everything we do, and supporting initiatives like Charger Mart perfectly aligns with that value. When we heard about the students’ vision for launching their own store, we knew it was a fantastic opportunity to help them develop real-world skills right here in our community. We’re proud to be part of this exciting project and to see these young leaders thrive.”
The Charger Mart employees, a select group of middle school students, proposed their ideas to Mr. Bishop, outlining how they would use the $1,500 donation. Just a few days later, they were thrilled to receive a check and couldn’t wait to order new items for the store. In what seemed like no time at all, Charger Mart transformed from a simple rolling cart into a dedicated room for the store.
From LED light-up scooters to remote control cars, smart watches, LEGO sets, school supplies, and Kids Kindles, there’s a little something for everyone! How do students earn the money to buy prizes, you ask? At Shell Knob School, we have our own money system called “Charger Dollars.” Students earn money by doing jobs around the school and in their classrooms, performing above and beyond in academics, and doing kind acts for others. Not only can students purchase items, but they can buy experiences, such as eating lunch with Principal Farr, having a class ice cream party or movie, and several other options!
“I love working with the kids! When the little kids come in, they get so excited because they have money to spend on prizes they’ve been waiting on for awhile,” Emmie Lewallen stated when asked why she likes her job as a Charger Mart employee. Emmie, along with ten other students, are responsible for managing the store. “We order new inventory, organize, and restock items and we also redistribute money back to the teachers after our shift is done,” Emma O’Brien remarked about employee responsibilities, “we all worked together to select items that kids would like.” Overall, the employees are beyond excited to welcome students to Charger Mart’s Grand Opening the first week of October.