This month, Highland Park Senior High School students celebrated a significant milestone: the ribbon-cutting for Scot’s Spot, a student-run coffee shop and school store that had been years in the making. The project’s completion is a testament to the strength of the community, the dedication of Highland Park students, and McGough’s long-standing commitment to giving back.
McGough’s connection to this project runs deep. In the 1960’s McGough built Highland Park Senior High School and Highland Park Middle School, places that have supported learning for generations. Many McGough employees still have personal ties to the school, and when the call for help went out, it presented an opportunity to give back to a place that is close to home.
It all started last summer when Holly Jasper, a Senior Pursuit Manager at McGough, saw a post from Highland Park’s Business Education teacher, Kristine Johanson Somerville, on the local neighborhood Facebook page. Kristine was reaching out for support after unexpected cost increases threatened to stall the students’ dream of opening a coffee shop and store in the school’s lobby. For two years, the students had worked tirelessly, fundraising and planning. But when they sought final approval from the district, they were told the budget had doubled. That’s when Holly shared the post with McGough’s leadership, and in a matter of minutes, Brad Wood, Colleen McGough-Wood, and Josh Schaefer had an answer: McGough was in.
Within days, McGough’s project team, led by general foreman Andy Swan, was coordinating with subcontractors and putting together a plan to bring the students’ vision to life. Despite challenges, including incomplete construction documents, the team persevered, working closely with district officials and overcoming each hurdle. The result was a fun and functional space completed at half the original estimated cost, thanks to the generosity of McGough and its partners.
Scot’s Spot has already begun to shape a unique community within the school. As Kristine noted, “Scot’s Spot is so much more than a space in our building. It has built a community… It allows student entrepreneurs to sell their items and provides curriculum for our Intro to Business courses. Thank you to McGough for providing this to our students.” The grand opening, attended by school staff, administrators from Saint Paul Public Schools, and community partners, was a celebration of collaboration and hard work. Guests enjoyed free samples of coffee and tea while students showcased their entrepreneurial spirit.
As Scot’s Spot opens its doors, it represents more than just a coffee shop; it’s a hub for students to learn valuable skills, collaborate, and connect with one another. McGough is proud to have played a part in bringing this project to life and helping create a space where Highland Park students can thrive and grow for years to come.
Special shout out to the Scot’ Spot project team! Dan McKay, Emily Michael, Josh Schaefer, and Andy Swan for your hard work and dedication to this special project!
Check out Highland Park Senior High School’s blog on Scot’s Spot to see more!
