WINK'S HONORS STUDENTS WITH FREE LUNCH

The staff at Wink's Keg Shop honored Central High School students with a picnic lunch at the store Tuesday.

Students visiting the store, adjacent to the high school at 1803 Independence, received free hot dogs, chips and sodas. A karoake station also was set up for aspiring singers and rap artists.

"Some of them have even written their own raps and let me read them," said store manager Debra Green. "They're very talented."

Green said she felt the students deserved a treat because of their good behavior when they visit the store. Students are generally polite and respectful when they stop in the store before and after school, and when they come to buy food for lunch each day.

She said she often tries to do things for the students to let them know their business is valued just as much as the adult customers

"We get quite a few of them here, and they've been pretty good since I came here four years ago," Green said. "They're good kids."

She said she does not worry about the students starting fights or shoplifting at the store. Their behavior at the party equaled her expectations, including when students threw away their trash and thanked staff members for the food.

"Everybody thinks they come in here and take things, but they don't do that," Green said. "A lot of people would be surprised how many of them hold down jobs on top of going to school and other activities."

Green said she has developed several good relationships with students and has not missed a graduation ceremony in four years.

She will especially miss the seniors who were just entering high school when she began working at the store.

"This was just to let them know we appreciate the business they give us and the way they act when they're here," Green said. "I'm gonna miss them."