With graduation around the corner, students' nerves are running at an all-time high, but for a group of 6th-grade girls at Dater Montessori Elementary School, their idea to open a school bakery is the perfect recipe to ease their anxious minds.
“Baking is something that keeps us all together in a fun way rather than one like school that can be stressful,” said Aniya Williams, 6th-grade Dater Montessori student.
The girls spent weeks researching recipes to factor in health considerations, including allergies and substitutions, to ensure their product could be enjoyed by all customers. They even created a business plan and gave a pitch presentation to the school principal, Anthony Greco, and Assistant Principal, Mark Gumm.
“These girls were really proactive since they knew the walkathon was coming up and wanted to help out,” said Assistant Principal Mark Gumm. The girls decided that ten percent of the profits they receive will go to the annual walkathon, the school’s largest fundraiser.
Gumm and Greco were so impressed with their initiative, they gave the girls complete permission to sell their products at the school.
The bakery, called Baker Sweets, opened its doors in April. The idea was to not only provide tasty treats to their peers but also to raise money for their future.
“Because it’s our last year together, we wanted to do something that involves all of us,” said Sawyer Smith, 6th-grade Dater Montessori student, and baker for the group. “It’s hard to manage time responsibly, with sports, practice and homework so finding the time can be kind of difficult. We all get on a call and bake together so we stay together.”
Smith said they plan to use the money they raised to stay in touch after they graduate next year. They hope to use the funds to go to the mall, see movies or even go to King’s Island.
The girls bake brownies, cupcakes, cookie dough, muffins and cookies during the weekend with each item being sold at the school for $1.50. The initial response was overwhelming, with students and staff alike partaking in the delicious sweets.
“Since I was one of the first people they did this with, they asked me what I would actually want to be baked,” said Gumm. “So I asked them to make me five brownies and I ate all of them. I didn’t even share!”
The students have shown that with hard work, determination and a little bit of sugar, anything is possible.
