The SkillsUSA chapter at Northeast High School on March 24 unveiled a comprehensive beautification, refreshing and rebranding overhaul of the Viking Café, the school’s long-standing vocational training hub for special education students.
Founded by 16-year veteran educator Elana Friedman-Lope, the Viking Café provides real-world work experience for more than 25 students aged 14-21. The program bridges the gap between traditional life skills and professional employment, allowing students to earn class credit while mastering:
• Culinary Arts and Business Operations
• Customer Service and Professionalism
• Resume-Building Work Experience
“The Viking Café is the lifeblood of this community,” said SkillsUSA project lead Nico Zhen. “We wanted to use our technical expertise to honor the hard work these students do every day.”
Using Adobe Illustrator, SkillsUSA members collaborated directly with café staff to redesign the cafe logo, design custom banners, create a modern menu and update décor. The project aimed to elevate the café’s professional atmosphere, reflecting the high standards and reliability the student employees bring to their roles.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure a skilled workforce. The NEHS chapter prepares students for careers in digital media production and empowers members to become world-class leaders through technical and service-based projects. ••
