La Porte High School Coffee Club Celebrates Grand Opening for Third Successful Year

As the 2025-26 school year gets underway, the La Porte High School Coffee Club is once again brewing up success with its annual Grand Opening celebration. Now in its third year of operation, the student-run business continues to serve as both a popular campus destination and a valuable learning space for aspiring entrepreneurs. 

The Coffee Club, which operates under the guidance of business teacher Angie LaRocco, has evolved from a grant-funded startup to a self-sustaining enterprise. LaRocco, who has watched the program flourish since its inception, expressed pride in her students’ achievements. 

“I’m incredibly proud of the self-sustaining business my students have launched and kept running,” LaRocco said. “What makes this program special is that while we celebrate a Grand Opening each year to welcome new students to the class, we also have continuity from students who’ve been with us since the beginning.” 

This year marks a significant milestone for the Business – Entrepreneurship Pathway, as it welcomes its first cohort of three Capstone students. Seniors Ethan Messacar, Sawyer Tonagel, and Ethan Gussman have all been integral to the Coffee Club’s journey, participating in the business venture since its very first day of operation three years ago. 

For Messacar, the experience has been transformative. “I have worked on all sides of the business at this point, from promotion and marketing to management,” he reflected. “I’ve learned a lot about business finance and meeting customer needs.” 

The program’s impact extends beyond the classroom. Students like Messacar are using their Coffee Club experience as a launching pad for future endeavors. He anticipates that the business skills he has developed will help him launch a successful enterprise in the future that leverages his passion for producing music. 

This comprehensive exposure to business operations is exactly what LaRocco envisioned when the program began. Students in their second and third years of the entrepreneurship program share responsibilities, with advanced students handling operations, finances, inventory management, drink preparation, and marketing. 

The success of the Coffee Club has motivated LaRocco and her students to broaden their efforts. The entrepreneurship class is currently working on launching their next venture: a school store that will provide Slicer apparel and snacks to the school community. 

As the Coffee Club begins another year of operation, it stands as a testament to what students can achieve when allowed to turn their ideas into reality. The annual Grand Opening celebration not only marks the start of a new school year but also represents the continuous cycle of learning, innovation, and growth that defines the La Porte High School entrepreneurship program.

With experienced Capstone students mentoring newcomers and exciting expansion plans on the horizon, the Coffee Club continues to serve both great beverages and invaluable life lessons to the Slicer community.