By Emily Valdez Posted December 20, 2024
A new dog biscuit company run by lowry students called Bark-A-Roos has been opened to help students learn skills to help them in future endeavors. Supervised by Ms. Hayley Bernardi during her afternoon periods, students work together to produce dog biscuits to sell.
“The dog biscuit company was formed to allow students to practice real-life skills that in some way shape or form can be applicable after high school in whatever types of jobs they choose,” said Bernardi. “So far I think every student that’s in this class loves it and has been very engaged. They’ve been very excited to get to the end game of being able to sell their product.”
The company has been an enjoyable experience for its students, allowing them to expand their skills.
“This class helps us for our future and pick what jobs are the best for us,” said Alexandra Villasenor. “I like helping others and working as a team.”
The class allows the students to explore their interests and new passions.
“It’s been a fun experience because we get to learn new activities like making dog biscuits, which helps us figure out what we want to do in the future,” said Hali Van Liew.
Van Liew expresses how she was unsure how to feel in the beginning but is glad to have stuck around.
“I didn’t know what I was coming into and I wanted to figure out what the class was all about and to see if I really enjoyed it,” said Van Liew. “And I actually really enjoy it because it’s fun and we get to learn new stuff. We learn a bunch of new activities a day.”
The business helps the students learn a variety of skills, including working as a team.
“This class helps us learn what we need to accomplish and get done as a team, to work together as a team and not struggle,” said Van Liew. “My favorite thing is probably making dog treats and teaching other kids how to do as well that are struggling with some things.”
Bernardi explains how every class works together to push their product.
“Every class that is involved in the dog biscuit company works fabulously together,” said Bernardi. “Every class has basically made their own team, and they all do start and finish in each class but the teamwork they’ve built and the camaraderie has been fantastic.”
The seniors in the class are eager to use the skills they have learned for the future.
“We [the seniors] kinda just want to get this class done with and figure out what we like and don’t like so that in the future it can help us pick our job and we don’t have to struggle trying to find that perfect job,” said Van Liew.
Bernardi hopes to one day expand the business to touch a variety of different skills.
“We could potentially expand from just a dog biscuit-making company to a potential job-based company that is a part of the school that can teach students different and other skills besides just baking,” said Bernardi.
Alexandra Villasenor and Hali Van Liew work together to form the dog biscuits. /Emily Valdez • The Brand
