West’s Business Professionals of America (BPA) student-run coffee shop, Pump It Up, has moved from its previous location in the business wing—near rooms 120 and 121–to its new location in the new student commons. 

Pump It Up has served West High for over a decade. It was previously located in a former computer lab, along with the library for a short time, prior to its most recent location in the business wing. Business teacher and West BPA advisor Diane Fickel believes Pump It Up’s new location will show other students the hard work BPA members do for the shop.

“I’m most excited for the students in West High to be exposed to what a great job business students do in business and providing a service,” Fickel said.

This business not only benefits the students that buy from it, but the students who work and run the shop. 

“It’s called work-based learning, and we need more of that at West and the fact that it is helping with scholarships for BPA and also for the special needs population, because we partner with them,” Fickel said. “It’s a win-win for everybody.“

Pump it Up employee Butali Butali ’25 is excited for the expansion of the business. While he mentions moving can be challenging to organize, once it is completed it will benefit the school and the students in it.  

“It’s going to be a great way for us to see more customers and have a fresh new look to Pump It Up,” Butali said. “All together this move will be beneficial to the workers and students who are involved in the business.”

Even though Pump It Up will be impacted by its move, it will still have the same lively atmosphere and menu as before. However, that doesn’t mean more change isn’t in store for Pump it Up.

“Down the road, we have some interesting surprises that we’re going to bring to Pump it Up. But I’m not going to disclose it today, because it’ll be a surprise, a good surprise,” Fickel said.