When you think about the most important role in a school you may think of the teachers, Principal, or even perhaps the deans.
What about the person who orders, receives, delivers, builds, and sets up everything in the school? That’s Stockroom Coordinator Ricky Cabanas- and his students he has working for him in the stockroom. An analogy that reflects the function of the stockroom is that ‘the restaurant can’t run without someone washing the dishes.’
The stockroom is starting to grow in recognition more this year, but most students don’t know about this sort of unofficial club in the school. The room is 157, and is located by the loading dock. The way to start working for Mr. Cabanas (affectionately known as Ricky among most in the Dewey community) is usually being referred by someone who is already working there will bring their friend in and ask to stay that period. If that’s allowed, and they start coming often and helping out they are granted a stockroom card with their name on it as their official badge.
Another way to get involved is to simply come in and ask.
The actual function of the stockroom is to receive and distribute supplies around the school to teachers and staff members. Stockroom members also generally help any staff members who need help with a task around the building. For example, if someone needs a desk moved from a classroom to another, Ricky and his students will get it done.
Another big element to being a Stockroom member is to set up for school events like the Thanksgiving feast or the Senior Feast.
When you’re not working, you can simply chill in the room provided you don’t have class that period. There is a Playstation 4, couches, chairs, snacks and drinks provided by Ricky himself.
The stockroom’s origin story is a simple one. Ricky explains that “I started letting kids help me out unconsciously when a student named Hamied usually came in and helped me out without me asking. It eventually turned into what we have now.”
The expansion of the stockroom happened simply when Hamied would bring a friend to help during their lunch period, then another, then another. “I’ve seen the stockroom grow rapidly from all those years ago when Hamied started it. There are over 50 people a part of it now, and over 100 all together”, Ricky said when asked about stockroom growth.
This sort of unofficial club means a lot to the students in it, especially kids who have been there most or all of high school. It gives opportunities for members to get more involved in school activities, whether that be setting up for them or attending. It also provides an outlet for students who have trouble thriving in the clubs offered at school, but want to contribute to school culture.
Senior Nate Syn said “My favorite part is just having time to spend with my friends who I don’t get to see because we don’t have classes together.” Syn’s response indicates yet another reason that showcases how the stockroom brings people together- it is a community that looks out for each other in and out of school.
Why work for the stockroom? The stockroom comes with many benefits such as a place to stay during your free periods. You also get service credits and get to know a lot of the staff members at the school.
Senior Tamell Blount said “ I feel like it makes high school way more enjoyable because school makes you stress and worry and having a place to relax where I can also catch up on my work if I need to during the school day is really helpful.”
Mr. Cabanas and the stockroom play a crucial role in keeping the school running smoothly. In many students experience, the stockroom is a hidden gem in John Dewey that means a lot to people who are involved with it.
