Doniphan West High School has been awarded a $375,000 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation to launch an innovative, student-operated business called the Rural Connections Project, a community coffee shop and market designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world experience.
The Patterson Family Foundation supports rural communities across the Midwest by funding projects that strengthen local infrastructure, education, and economic vitality. The Rural Connections Project embodies all three goals, creating a space that serves both students and the Highland community.
The grant was a collaborative effort between Mrs. Jodi Leatherman and Dr. Volora Hanzlicek. Several project concepts were initially considered, but after thoughtful discussion, the team decided to merge ideas into one comprehensive proposal, a coffee shop and market that also serves as a hub for learning and community connection.
Once completed, the facility plans to feature a coffee bar and brunch-style deli, a small market for essential and fresh grocery items, a lab-style classroom, and office space for business education programs. Students enrolled in marketing, entrepreneurship, accounting, business management, and other CTE courses will help operate every aspect of the business, from budgeting, ordering, and payroll to advertising and customer service.
“This project brings learning to life,” said Doniphan West business instructor and BPA advisor Jodi Leatherman. “Our students will gain real-world experience running a business while providing a much-needed service to the community.”
The project emphasizes experiential learning, a model that prepares students for college and careers by giving them hands-on, transferable skills that employers value. It also provides a classroom lab experience, allowing students to apply concepts directly to the daily operations of a functioning business. Hopefully, the Rural Connections Project will also open doors for future educational expansion, including collaboration with the agriculture/horticulture program and the potential reintroduction of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) courses.
School leaders will soon evaluate building locations and development plans. Community involvement will play a vital role in shaping and supporting the project, with opportunities for local contractors, businesses, and individuals to contribute labor, materials, or funds to help bring the vision to life.
“This isn’t just a school project, it’s a community project,” said Leatherman. “We’re building something that connects our students to the community, gives them a sense of ownership, and enhances local opportunity.” The Rural Connections Project will serve as a model for hands-on education, preparing students for careers, entrepreneurship, and postsecondary success while strengthening rural Kansas from within.
