Babylon High School DECA (Distributive Educational Clubs of America) is in the process of formulating a contest to name a new school store, scheduled to open in September for the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year. Items to be made available include pens and pencils, folders and stationery, and clothing and pennants that feature the Babylon logo. Proceeds from this new venture will benefit Babylon DECA and local community organizations that include the Lions Club and the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition.

The mission of the school store is to provide students with frequently needed items in a convenient location at affordable costs. Plans call for the store to be open to shoppers before and after school and during lunch hours, reports DECA Advisor Claire Reilly.

However,k before the school store can become self-supporting, it needs community assistance to help get it started. DECA students are seeking corporate and/or personal underwriters to help defray the setup expenses, which include purchasing display shelves, a cash register and the merchandise. Reilly says they need approximately $3,000 to get the store up and running. Students helping in the store will learn accounting practices, inventory control, merchandising and marketing.

Sponsors will be presented with a plaque in the school store for all to see, honoring their contributions. For more information, contact business teacher Claire Reilly at the high school at 631-893-7910 or by emailing her at Creilly@babylonsd.org.