Frank Marquez is involved in many school projects which focus on helping the special population of Quander Road School to learn the power of giving, cooperation, entrepreneurship, and teamwork.

Frank is an integral part of the Cobra Car Wash program, a new program started by the students in the Education for Employment program. Students give up their Saturdays to raise money for student activities, such as field trips to local organizations which support workforce development.

As the manager of the car wash, Frank ensures that all materials are assembled and that the student workers are given jobs appropriate for their particular skills. Although Frank is the lead, he is always ready to assist.  Teacher Princessa Williamson says, “Frank’s ability to jump in and spearhead the student-run programs is impeccable.”

Frank manages a school-run company which sells T-shirts, mugs, and water bottles. He assists by taking orders from students and staff, and he is responsible for working with a small group of students to maintain the necessary inventory.

Frank is also active in food service, managing the Quick Stop and the Road Café. Staffed by six students, the Road Café operates on all school days, serving breakfasts and lunches to both students and staff. Frank takes the orders, operates the cash register, and restocks the café when needed.

The Quick stop is a ‘Positive Behavioral Supports and Interventions’ program that allows students to use ‘school bucks’ to purchase items. Frank helps with inventory control and keeping an ongoing record of the bucks used by students.

Dr. George Deneault, a member of the faculty, says, “Frank has a unique awareness of students’ problems and gives them opportunities to solve them and to avoid misguided behavior by participating in group activities. In the classroom Frank helps students avoid negative situations, solve potential problems, and learn from his modeling ways.”

Frank anticipates that graduating will be bitter-sweet, but he is confident that he will apply all he has learned to his life after high school.