In the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, students in the Marketing and Entrepreneurship classes learn about starting a business, and running a business, from all angles. Instructor Tara Amato wants to give these students real-world experience, which is exactly what all Career Academies aim to provide for their students. Enter: The Spirit Box. Pioneering this program in the state of Florida, Nease’s Academy of Hospitality & Tourism is launching their Spirit Box soon. This custom vending machine will contain goods for students to purchase during the school day. From custom spirit gear to school supplies, these products will be available in the Spirit Box, located in the cafeteria. While the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism students will be stocking the box, noting best sellers and slow-movers, where will the goods come from? This is where things get collaborative! In a first-ever move, all THREE Nease Career Academies will be contributing to one project on campus. Students in the Digital Design Academy will be designing and printing custom Nease spirit wear and goods, including t-shirts, water bottles, mugs, and more! TV Production students in the Communications Academy will produce commercials to run on Wired which will advertise available and limited-time products. Over the in Stellar Academy of Engineering, students will harness the power of our 3D printers to create original spirit items, including paw print earrings.
Nease is so excited to get this new venture off the ground, and to pioneer the effort in the state of Florida. The Spirit Box is endorsed by DECA, which is a Career and Technical Student Organization aimed at preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs to be college and career ready. Nease’s DECA chapter, affiliated with the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, has brought home several regional and state awards, and they look forward to the business experience of running the Spirit Box to further aid in their expertise in the areas of business, entrepreneurship, and marketing.
