Provo High’s Dawg Bowl – Written by Milan Nikolae Venegas

November 6th, 2024 /
Provo City School District /
News, Provo High, Schools, Secondary Schools, Timpview High

This is an article written by Communications Intern Milan Nikolae Venegas.

If you’ve attended any Provo High School Football games or have been able to walk down the hallways of the school, you may have noticed something different with both concession stands. The Dawg Bowl is the brand new soda shop that started this school year at Provo High and is getting students excited to try different sodas.

So, what exactly is the Dawg Bowl? Well, it’s not your average soda shop. It’s Provo High’s very own soda shack run by the DECA presidency, offering some sweet deals on drinks. Connor Casperson shared how this idea came to life: “On the day of freshman orientation, Mr. Eady called a meeting with the DECA Presidency about an idea that Mr. Sauerbier and Mrs. Alvarez were cooking up. It was proposed that we’d help build a soda shop within the school and we all loved the idea.”

The students involved were all split into three different teams (Logistics, Marketing, and Operations). They immediately jumped on the idea, brainstorming how they could take something as simple as a soda stand and turn it into a successful business venture at Provo High.

Principal Alvarez shared the inspiration behind the initiative. “The idea for this initiative came after a visit to Cedar Valley High School, where I saw a successful model in place,” she said. “At the time, we were experiencing challenges with our own concessions program, particularly in organizing materials, staffing, and managing profits. Inspired by Cedar Valley’s approach, I decided to adapt their idea for our school.”

But it’s not just about the drinks. The Dawg Bowl represents a unique way for students to gain hands-on business experience. From marketing to logistics, students take a simple idea– like selling soda– and turn it into a full-blown operation benefitting the entire school.

“In addition to its financial benefits, the Dawg Bowl provides students with invaluable real-world learning experiences,” Alvarez explained. “This year, many of our DECA students have had the chance to see firsthand what it takes to launch a business. They’ve navigated challenges, learned the importance of adaptability, and gained experience in building a business from the ground up.”

The Dawg Bowl, operating as a non-profit, also directly benefits Provo High students by helping offset costs for extracurricular activities. “High school students are involved in many extracurricular activities, which is fantastic, but these programs also come with financial demands. The Dawg Bowl was created as a sustainable, ongoing initiative that consistently generates funds to support students with their activity fees,” Alvarez noted.

With its grand opening at Provo High’s Homecoming Game, The Dawg Bowl was an instant hit, serving over 500 customers in just four hours. Thanks to the creative efforts of the Marketing Team (Connor Casperson, Collin Casperson, and Harmony Bartholomew), the Dawg Bowl quickly became a go-to spot for students, solidifying its place as a Provo High staple.

And honestly, that’s what makes this initiative so cool. Students are running the show and gaining hands-on experience in building a business, adapting as they go, and truly making it their own. Whether you’re a soda fan or not, you gotta admit, this is a pretty sweet gig for Provo High students.

This is an article written by Communications Intern Milan Nikolae Venegas.

student intern smiling