The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted through Twin Rivers High School Tuesday morning. It signalled the opening of Royally Roasted Coffee Shop.
Several transition students at the high school are gaining real world work experience by serving their fellow classmates coffee and pastries twice a week before the beginning of the school day.
"We have been waiting for something like this for a long time," sophomore Natalie Baxter said as she waited in line for her order. "Lots of students are excited for the coffee shop."
Freshman Jaylynn Williams agreed she enjoyed having a coffee shop in school and believed a cup of joe would help wake up students for the beginning of the day.
Students began lining up to purchase coffee, iced coffee, hot chocolate and pastries around 7:45 a.m.
WaWanna Nehrkorn, high school special education teacher and facilitator for the Twin Rivers R-X School District, said Royally Roasted Coffee Shop will be open Tuesday and Thursday mornings until the first bell.
"We have some changes to make, but I believe (this morning) was successful," Nehrkorn said of opening day.
Around 30 students and staff members placed orders on opening morning.
Senior transition student worker Zack Head said the morning started off a little "crazy," but believed once some of the issues are worked out the coffee shop will be great.
According to Nehrkorn, transition students will be able to learn skills including budgeting, customer service and working with money during their time working at Royally Roasted Coffee Shop, which will help paticipants transition into the real world upon graduation.
"This builds teamwork and morale," Director of Special Services Tracie Austin said.
Sterling Bank of Poplar Bluff donated money for start-up costs and supplies of the coffee shop.
Nehrkorn said funds from the coffee shop will be used toward transition programs and the Special Olympics.