School Owned and Operated

I caught a tidbit about Leeton, MO on the evening news last night. I witnessed a fabulous endeavor in the small community of Leeton and the high school students who are making history there. This is what America can do when we see past the doom and gloom of an economic downturn.

Leeton was once a booming town but the current financial crisis had forced the only grocery store in town to pull up roots and close the doors. Many in the community (including seniors) were left with no place to shop locally.

Still, the population of Leeton is only 600 and no one in their right mind would open a grocery store in a town that small. Enter: the local high school.

Two teachers, Bonnie Seymour and Marijayne Manley, began to focus their classrooms on the impossible dream to open a grocery store on Main Street in Leeton. The teachers of the agricultural business and entrepreneurial classes knew the kids could pull it off. They saw the need for opportunity, jobs and the community needs for a local store.

The Bulldog Express, named for the high school mascot, opened its doors in 2009.

Residents of Leeton say it's the best thing since sliced bread (or being able to purchase sliced bread locally instead of driving or walking to the nearest town that has a grocery store) The kids are loving it, too.

While the store is holding its own, it is just breaking even thus far. The kids aren't in it for the profit though as one 17-year-old says,

"You can't just go and find money on a tree and expect a business to come out of it. You actually have to look into it and plan it." The kids are planning to open a deli soon and maybe even grocery delivery as the possibilities are as endless as their abilities to dream them. You can see their website here.

The American Kennel Club describes the bulldog as, "The disposition should be equable and kind, resolute and courageous (not vicious or aggressive), and demeanor should be pacific and dignified."

Sounds just like the characteristics of these courageous kids of Leeton, MO.

Just believe and anything is possible.

Sources:

http://www.leeton.k12.mo.us/bulldogexpress.htm

http://abcnews.go.com/US/bringing_america_back/saving-small-towns-groceries/story?id=14755000

http://www.akc.org/breeds/bulldog/