The school store is an important part of the Upper School, and almost every student visits the school store during their time at GA. Run by Ms. Heather DelGrande, the school store has become a convenient location for students to purchase snacks and drinks on the go, as well as purchase school merchandise and gear.
Ms. DelGrande manages the school store, playing an integral role in the GA community. Not only does Ms. Delgrande order all of the snacks, drinks and apparel, but she is also responsible for working the register and helping students locate items.
Ms. DelGrande’s involvement in the school store is no easy feat. With tons of students in and out of the store each day, many stop by and give their input as to what merchandise Ms. DelGrande should purchase. Although she loves the constant student involvement, it takes up a lot of her time and makes orders more challenging.
“Finding the time to get the things that I have to get done to make the store run is sometimes difficult.” Ms. DelGrande said.
But despite challenges, Ms. DelGrande does a wonderful job managing the school store. She loves having students working alongside her, and they express how fun the job is.
“There’s a good sense of community,” Alisa Colucci ‘27 said. “Everyone in here is always so friendly.”
The same sentiment is shared by others who often spend time in the school store.
“It’s a fun place to just stop by, talk or hangout,” Taylor Lahiff ‘27 said.
Colucci and Lahiff help volunteer at the school store, helping take some of the stress off Ms. DelGrande and learning valuable skills. Students who volunteer in the school store learn how to use the register, restock items and form connections with their peers all under the supervision and guidance of Ms. DelGrande.
Without Ms. DelGrande, the school store would not be functioning to the level it is today. It accommodates many students by providing necessities, experience working and a place for anyone to visit and hang out throughout the day.
“I definitely think it has become a hub for the community,” Ms. Delgrande said.
Ms. DelGrande works incredibly hard to create a space where all students can enjoy. It is a fundamental part of the GA campus and it continues to grow as a center for community at GA.
In the future, Ms. DelGrande hopes to continue improving the store in any way she can. She hopes to continue ordering as much merchandise as she can by maximizing the space in the best way to accommodate that goal.
Ms. DelGrande also hopes to get more student input and involvement behind the scenes to keep the store a communal space for everyone to feel comfortable in. Her biggest goal is to make the school store a place that welcomes everyone and reinforces its purpose as a central communal space for Upper School students.