The latest buzz: Coffee saves lives
<p>Lakes Middle School students in the Coffee Buzz class include, back row from left, Marcos Pabon, Meredith Jessick, Zach Zensel and Rebecca Statton. Front row are Erin Duncan and Connor White.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Those lattes, iced coffees, chai teas, hot chocolates and Italian sodas they've been drinking at Lakes Middle School might not sound all that healthy, but they are.
Really.
They could even save a life.
The Coffee Buzz class raised $1,500 to buy an automated external defibrillator for the school.
"This machine, hopefully, will never be used, but in case of an emergency it could save a life, maybe yours," wrote teacher Mark Daly.
Daly, along with teacher Kathy McGrath, started Coffee Buzz as a business class three years ago. Students learn math, how to master the barista trade and social skills, too.
Six students are in the third-period class, where they churn out a variety of java jolts for teachers, and occasional Italian sodas for students.
Prices are $2.25 each, or cards offering 10 drinks for $20 are available. No students are wired up on caffeine all day. Coffee sales are restricted to teachers and administrators.
Students take their task seriously.
"We run this as a business," said Daly, who has 25 years experience in the retail world.
The drive for the defibrillator - an electrical device used to restore normal heartbeat by applying a brief electric shock - kicked off with the school's cultural fair in April. Then, the Coffee Buzz earned $480 in four hours.
"We made almost 200 Italian sodas, 50 an hour. That's pretty darn good," Daly said.
Since then, the class raised $100 with cookie sales, and received close to $400 in donations, primarily from Lakes staff.
"We have worked hard to raise the other $1,000. I am very proud of The Coffee Buzz students," Daly wrote.
Eighth-grader Meredith Jessick has enjoyed the class.
"Not only do you have a chance to learn what it's like to be in a business, also it's really fun," she said Wednesday, the final day Coffee Buzz was open.
It gives her a chance to visit with teachers, too, when they come in for a cup of Joe, or she delivers one to them.
And coffee drinks, she said, seem to make teachers happy.
"You get to see a bunch of smiles," Jessick said.
"I'm always looking forward to coming to this class in the morning. It's quite fun," added eighth-grader Rebecca Statton.
Daly said the defibrillator should be delivered in about three weeks. It will be a legacy left by the Coffee Buzz class for the school.
"I'm proud to say we're the only middle school in the district that will now have a defibrillator," Daly said.