Posted by: Bethany on 02/13/2008 04:09 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 02/13/2008 05:45 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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Scooter's Fifth Grader Saving for College ~ By Bethany Monk
San Andreas, C.A….He’s only 10 years old, but Zakkery Barry has big plans. Every Saturday for the past six months, the Sonora fifth grader had been getting up before dawn for his big day at work in San Andreas….
“Me and my dad, we made a great deal,” Zakkery said during an interview Saturday. “It’s working out.”
Zakkery works with his dad, Scott Barry, once a week at Scooter's Espresso and Smoothies in San Andreas to save money for college. He runs the cash register, makes many of the drinks, “except the really hot ones,” puts whipped cream on beverages, and, with his cheerful nature, provides excellent customer service to people.
“Some people come by and they’re a little asleep,” Zakkery said of his customers, “so they need some coffee to keep them awake.” People usually smile or laugh when they see him, he said, adding that customers are very supportive of his college plans. “They say, ‘That’s really cool.’”
Scooter's is a drive-thru coffee and bakery shop owned by the senior Barry. He opened the café a few years ago and invited his youngest son to help him out six months ago.
When Zakkery was younger, Scott started a college fund for him. He and his son have an agreement: the money Zakkery earns from working at Scooters can be put toward his college fund. His dad will match a certain percentage of the funds.
“He understands the more he gives (to the fund), the more I pay,” said Scott, who has opened college funds for each of his five children. Zakkery is his youngest. If Zakkery gives his dad $10, Scott will match it 100 percent. If he gives him $5, Scott will match it with $7.50.
“It encourages him to give me the most money (for the college fund),” Scott said.
Zakkery and his dad continue to add his earnings to the college fund started when he was younger, and are not sure how much has come from Zakkery’s work at Scooters. He has about $10,000 saved up total and plans to keep saving.
Zakkery is not paid by the hour, but gets to keep the day’s tip earnings. A lot of it has gone to his college fund, but the Sousbyville student likes to have fun with his hard-earned cash as well. He saved up and paid his way to a Hannah Montana concert recently. He also likes to buy chocolate bars to eat with his lunch at school.
He said his friends think his having a job is neat; some even want to come to work with him.
“It feels really good to get to spend money on something I want,” he said, adding that he’s looking forward to going to college someday and wants to become “a firefighter or a comedian” when he grows up.
In his spare time he likes to write stories, draw and watch baseball. He played football last year, and before that, took several years of dance lessons.
The job is teaching him responsibility, he said. “The best part is that I get to help my dad.”
For more information regarding Scooters call (209) 754-3654.
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