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Teen suspended for selling sandwiches
Categories: Teens & tweens, Weird But True, Education
17-year-old Matt Wong is an accomplished student, pianist and...sandwich maker. He likes to whip up gourmet sandwiches in the kitchen of his La Jolla, California home but often buys more than he needs just for his family. He's also a budding entrepreneur and decided he could use his leftover ingredients to make his classmates happy while earning a few bucks for himself.
He made up menus and handed them out at school. For just $5 each, the kids at his school could pass on the lunchroom mystery meat and instead enjoy a tomato, salami, olive baguette, a turkey pesto with zucchini or a roast beef with dill sandwich. He had fourteen orders by second period.
The next day, he set up shop on the quad and went about making his sandwiches. But once the principal got a whiff of what was going on, he told Wong to shut down his little sandwich shop because of health concerns and permit issues. "He was quite serious about making sure nobody got a sandwich, but I managed to
get them all out," says Wong.
Wong may have filled all his sandwich orders that day, but he also earned himself a two-day suspension. So,what did Wong do with his time at home? He invited his classmates over for sandwiches, of course.
He made up menus and handed them out at school. For just $5 each, the kids at his school could pass on the lunchroom mystery meat and instead enjoy a tomato, salami, olive baguette, a turkey pesto with zucchini or a roast beef with dill sandwich. He had fourteen orders by second period.
The next day, he set up shop on the quad and went about making his sandwiches. But once the principal got a whiff of what was going on, he told Wong to shut down his little sandwich shop because of health concerns and permit issues. "He was quite serious about making sure nobody got a sandwich, but I managed to
get them all out," says Wong.
Wong may have filled all his sandwich orders that day, but he also earned himself a two-day suspension. So,what did Wong do with his time at home? He invited his classmates over for sandwiches, of course.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Uly 2-29-2008 @ 6:41PM
Could Matt have been reasonably expected to know that this would get him a suspension? Because I would not have expected that. It was right to shut him down - no matter how crappy the school food is - for health reasons. But I can't help thinking that just ending it would have been more reasonable for a first infraction.
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Jenn 2-29-2008 @ 11:49PM
I'm guessing that the suspension came when he continued to sell the sandwiches AFTER being told to shut down. So yeah, I'd guess he could reasonably expect that would get him a suspension.
I think it's sad he wasn't allowed to do his thing (although I do understand the rules & regulations involved here), but I don't think a punishment for willfully disobeying when told he needs to shut down is out of line.
Uly 3-02-2008 @ 1:04PM
The post isn't totally clear, that's why I asked. Yes, if he kept it up - suspend his ass.
James Roth 5-04-2008 @ 10:10PM
It's obvious that Uly and Jenn don't know what America is about - free enterprise!!. The principal was dead wrong for suspending Mr. Wong, and probably getting kickback from the school's cafeteria junk food pushers. I hope the students of that school will have a protest rally and fire that stupid automaton of a principal for violating Matt Wong's rights and helping the cafeteria peddle that junk which they call food.
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Laura 3-04-2008 @ 9:11AM
If he still wants to do it, I think he should! He can arrange all business is done before school begins, even charge more for a complete lunch with drink! If it's done off school grounds (even right in front!) and not during school hours they don't have a leg to stand on. If they get sick, they will know not to buy from him again. I daresay he takes extra precautions that dear ole mom and pop at home don't take? His sandwiches sound delish! I'd so buy one! Is he up for adoption? ;)
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