Lisa Cline, DECA advisor at North Forsyth High School in Georgia, is making a big impact through her school-based enterprise, Raider Station. With a focus on creating a real-world experience, she has built a program that not only raises funds for her DECA chapter but also prepares students with skills they will use for life.
At Raider Station, the hiring process is designed to mirror the professional world. Each year, interested students complete an application during registration, interview for a position, and must have successfully completed (or be enrolled in) Marketing Principles. All staff members earn Work-Based Learning/Internship credit, making the store function as its own class.
“This process gives the role more value,” Ms. Cline explains. “Our students want to be here, and that motivation creates a strong culture and team dynamic.”
Once hired, students take on meaningful responsibilities. A management team oversees scheduling, training, inventory, finances, and promotions, while general staff members handle sales, customer service, and daily operations. Managers even supervise and train their peers - an invaluable leadership experience. Many alumni share that these skills, from financial accountability to inventory management, have helped them succeed in college jobs, internships, and careers.
Student involvement is also at the heart of product selection. Each year, marketing classes conduct research, run surveys, and use social media polls to identify what their customers want. From timeless best-sellers like cookies to trending items like handcrafted Refreshers with boba juice beads and “dirty sodas,” students are encouraged to test, market, and evaluate new products. This keeps Raider Station relevant while giving students ownership in the decision-making process.
Beyond running a successful store, Ms. Cline has connected her SBE directly to the success of her DECA chapter. Raider Station serves as one of the largest fundraisers for North Forsyth DECA, helping offset travel costs for conferences and competitions while also funding annual scholarships for student managers.
“Students can directly see how their hard work benefits the chapter,” Ms. Cline says. “It gives them a strong sense of purpose and ownership.”
Through her innovative practices, Ms. Cline has turned Raider Station into not just a school store but a living classroom that develops leaders, provides meaningful career experience, and sustains the future of her DECA chapter.
Thank you to Halie Bissell for nominating Ms. Cline for this recognition. If you know of an advisor with an innovative or creative best practice, nominate him or her today to be recognized!
