After being shut down for months, the JROTC program brought back the Uniquely U store, which is run by Charissa Hitchens, senior. The JROTC cadets thought it would be a good idea to reopen the Uniquely U store to raise more funds for the Squadron so that cadets wouldn’t have to pay out of their own pocket to participate in fun activities.

“Our cadets have spent so much money out of pocket, I felt that it’s time to give back to

our program if we could, so opening up the school store again was really just perfect timing,” Hichens said.

However, reopening the school store didn’t come without its challenges.

“The hardest part about opening the store had to be finding out what kinds of snacks

were appealing to all the students and staff that would possibly want to shop at the store,” Hitchens said.

The Uniquely U store contains different varieties of food and drinks: chips,

candy, chocolate, water, juice, noodles, beef sticks, cookies and more. Not only does the store

sell food, they’ll soon be selling U. City merch.

“For the students who work in the store, they gain community service hours, and will also be able to use this opportunity as a learning experience for when they go out into the real world

and work a real job.” Hitchens said.

The affordable price for products is appealing to the student body.

“I love shopping at the Uniquely U store,” John Trotter, junior, said. “Being able to support my friends and the JROTC program, as well as buying my favorite snacks that are very affordable. I can also put in my opinion for different items that I want to be sold, and it’s just very convenient for me.”

The Uniquely U store allows the rest of the student body an opportunity for snacks

and nourishment after school but before and after activities or before they get on the bus to go

home.

“Shopping at the store is very convenient for me, because I can leave school with all the

snacks I need without going to the store when I’m at home,” Jordan Alexander, freshman, said. “I also love that it’s run by students. It shows how much integrity and compassion they have not only for their program but for themselves as well.”