The YLHS Mustang Market is a student-run store that sells school merchandise and supplies. The goal is to simulate real-world business scenarios, helping students gain hands-on experience and develop leadership skills.
The store was launched in 2019 and consists of four departments: Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, and Inventory, which are all managed and staffed entirely by students from the MBA Management class.
It has received recognition from Congress, the California Legislature, and the State Senate. The mission of Mustang Market is to inspire students to become community-minded business leaders through the various events they organize. This year, they are focusing on the values of respect, responsibility, and unity.
After the preparation since the beginning of the school year, the Mustang Market has officially relaunched on October 22, 2025, led by two Business Management classes totaling 74 students. Under the guidance of Ms. Waltemeyer, the Mustang Business Academy instructor, the Market has undergone a full transformation in structure, organization, and future goals.
“I’ve truly enjoyed my experiences with the business capstone class and Mustang Market these past four years,” Ms. Waltemeyer (S) shared. “It’s rare that a teacher gets to have the same students for two or three consecutive years, so it’s quite fulfilling to watch them apply their knowledge and run their own business.”
With a growing number of students this year, managing the Market has brought both challenges and opportunities. “Some may see this as a challenge with so many different minds, backgrounds, and visions,” Ms. Waltemeyer explained, “but I see this as an opportunity to find common ground in the face of natural conflict. There is unity in diversity.”
Each department–Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, and Inventory–has taken on unique responsibilities to support the Market’s revival.
One of the executives in the Human Resources department, led by Ava Sloan (11; Period 5), focuses on communication. “From creating in-depth spreadsheets to sending out crucial surveys, our team has formed a cohesive, efficient schedule,” Ava said. “We’re also partnering with Finance and Marketing to start a Winter Fundraiser to help support and advertise our market.”
In the Marketing department, Tyler Leu (12; Period 4) emphasizes creativity. “We’ve been promoting the relaunch through social media, posters, and interactive promotions,” he explained. “Our next step is setting up booths at school sporting events to expand visibility and strengthen brand recognition.”
The Inventory department, managed by Sienna Sweiss (12; Period 5), has worked diligently behind the scenes to maintain organization and visual appeal. “Every day, we check the kiosk, track what’s selling, and make sure the decor and menu fit the season,” she said. “Spreadsheets and labeling have become our biggest tools, they keep everything efficient and consistent between both class periods.”
Meanwhile, the Finance department has been essential to the Market’s sustainability. John Wang (12; Period 5) described the group’s analytical approach: “We started by studying past sales data to identify profitable products, then built new pricing strategies and tracking systems to support long-term growth.” Currently, the finance students are leading a sponsorship banner project to raise funds for the Market while gaining experience in real-world budgeting and financial management.
Looking ahead, Ms. Waltemeyer and her students are eager to strengthen ties with the local community. “I look forward to future sponsorships, partnerships, fundraisers, and guest speaker events,” Ms. Waltemeyer said. “I hope our initiatives will allow us to collaborate not only with small businesses but also with other programs at YLHS.”
The Mustang Market’s relaunch is more than a classroom project; it’s a living example of leadership by high school students. As Ms. Waltemeyer reminds her students, “Leadership is action, not just position.” The Market stands as the proof.
