The future of the Puma Den as we know it is in jeopardy. The Den and DECA play a huge role in student life and on campus – from community service to educating Arizona’s largest chapter of marketing students – the program at PHS is a staple of our culture. (Full disclosure: I am a part of DECA and work in the Puma Den.)

The organization is a second family to most members, as it teaches the values of business, management, marketing, and teamwork.

There has been a lot of talk about the Puma Den possibly closing down. DECA advisor Rob Lange said clearly, “the Puma Den is not closing down.” True, it is not closing, but it is facing some challenges.

CUSD and its food provider – Aramark – are expanding the food choices for students before and during school, including building pods (small, convenience-style stores) in the CUSD high schools to help reduce long lunch lines and add variety to their menu.

For example, beginning next semester we will see a coffee bar open in the cafeteria, which will provide expresso drinks. The Puma Den also serves coffee, but only drip coffee. With two places on campus serving coffee, the Den’s concern is that students will elect to go to the bar instead of the student store in the F-Building. This could have a ripple effect: the more students go to the cafeteria, the less revenue and experience DECA students get, and that could mean hard times on the horizon for one of Perry’s most accomplished classes.

“Last year we did over 1,500 hours of community service,” Lange said. He noted that the organization is involved on campus and within their community.

Through community service and events for the school, DECA provides members with work experience that many use in the real world.

“(DECA) teaches you responsibility, accountability, and integrity,” co-president CJ Parisian expressed.

Everyone that works in the store is trained by managers, which are the student based enterprise class. SBE is an advanced marketing class that focuses on everything related to the Puma Den, it’s “Ran by the students for the students,” DECA secretary Neveah Saenz said.

The store offers a variety of items ranging from snacks to spirit gear; it is a one-stop shop. We offer a selection of product to cater to all of the students. The Puma Den is “Big on customer service,” Parisian said. Everyone welcomes students warmly, trying to make students feel at ease, affecting the campus through a connection with the students.

“I enjoy the Puma Den, good service, good food, fair prices,” junior Josh Hendrickson said.