Taunton High School’s Tiger Shack and Tiger Café have achieved GOLD Level Certification from DECA’s School-Based Enterprise (SBE) program for the 2024-2025 school year. This recognition places Taunton among an elite group of 17 Food SBEs and 20 Retail SBEs in Massachusetts to receive this honor. The award highlights the outstanding efforts of seniors Sophie Almeida and Daniel Levesque, who led the certification process with support from their DECA advisors, Jesse MacPhail and Molly Sullivan, and store manager Kristin Sullivan.
A school-based enterprise is a student-managed business within a school that provides hands-on learning in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Taunton’s SBE program allows students to develop critical workplace skills while reinforcing classroom instruction, and the GOLD Level Certification is a testament to their commitment to excellence.
Almeida prepared the full certification submission for the Tiger Café, a more labor-intensive process that required extensive documentation across ten marketing and retail standards. Meanwhile, Levesque completed the recertification for the Tiger Shack, which, while still rigorous, required documentation for three key standards. Both students worked for months compiling financial data, developing marketing strategies, and analyzing business operations.
“What sets Taunton apart is that we aren’t a vocational school,” said Almeida. “Most schools that earn this certification specialize in these types of programs. Here, it’s a choice, which means the students involved are really passionate about it.”
Levesque echoed this sentiment, highlighting the skills he developed through the process. “It’s not just about writing a report; it’s about selling your school store’s success to the judges. We had to analyze sales data, compile graphs, and make our case for why the Tiger Shack deserved GOLD,” he said. “This experience has definitely prepared me for a future in business.”
Both students emphasized the importance of teamwork in the certification process. While they tackled their individual submissions this year, they have been mentoring younger students to ensure the program’s continued success.
As they prepare to attend DECA’s International Career Development Conference in Orlando this April, Almeida and Levesque look forward to representing Taunton High School on a national stage. “It’s my last year, and I’m doing this solo, so I’m excited to see how I do,” said Almeida. “I hope we’ve set the bar high for future students to carry on this legacy.”
With their dedication and leadership, Taunton’s DECA program continues to thrive, providing students with invaluable real-world experience and national recognition.
The Tiger Café is open for lunch Wednesday through Friday from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM.