MIDDLEBURG - Every time someone walks through the doors at Middleburg High School, they look to the right and are entranced by the sight.  

Students are folding clothes, greeting customers, pasting sale signs and counting inventory. Essentially running their own business. But Industrial Education Teacher Rob Justino said the Bronco Outpost is so much more. 

“It’s all about school spirit. That’s why it’s called the school spirit store,” he said.  

The small store features a realm of Bronco apparel. Students and faculty walk through the halls of the school in Nike and Adidas branded hats, t-shirts and sweatshirts—showing their ultimate Horsepower.    

Justino said his students work at the store as part of their Principles of Entrepreneurship, Management and Ownership courses, a feature of the district’s robust Career and Technical Education program.  

At each junior and senior high school, students are introduced to various career paths to get them college and career ready. 

At the beginning of each year, Justino said he always reminds his students to look at the county's growth. Someone needs to produce services and that someone is you, he tells them. 

The Bronco Outpost was created seven years ago with former principal Roger Dailey. Justino said they joined forces to bring the idea to life. And it’s something that current principal Martin Aftuck champions. 

“Dailey helped me with the building and everything up front…you got to have backing with your principal,” Justino said.  

Middleburg High is one of the only schools in the district with this concept. The store is up and running every day during lunch periods. The students alternate in shifts.  

“When we get in here, we’ll check to make sure everything has enough on the hangers, and we’ll fix things that are unfolded,” said student Brooke Bushee.  

When welcoming customers into the Outpost, student Emily Peacock said if their size is in stock, it’s time to make a sale. 

In an intricate process, the students also oversee their own daily inventory spreadsheet, while Justino oversees the process on his own, making sure the numbers match up.  

“It teaches them management skills, big time,” Justino said. 

Every Friday is then dedicated to problem-solving. Justino said he and students run roundtable meetings to discuss new inventory, store changes and progress. Funds from the business are ultimately reinvested in new merchandise.  

“We learn how to actually handle the cash and how a business operates behind the scenes,” Peacock said.  

The overall impact, though, is ringing in the school spirit  

“I mean, you walk around, and you see everybody’s got something from the store,” Justino said.  

For Bushee, interacting with others is the best part of the job. 

“Just always have a smile on your face and say something kind and they're bound to have a conversation with you. It’s just good to connect with people,” she said.  

Because at the Bronco Outpost, school spirit shines brightly.