This past Friday, May 23, I had the absolute privilege of witnessing something truly special at Diamond Ranch High School — the Panther Café in full swing.
If you haven't heard of it yet, Panther Café is a student-run coffee service led by Mr. Matthew Maizel and his incredible class of students with extensive support needs. What started as a small summer school idea has now blossomed into a full-blown Friday tradition. And after seeing it firsthand, I completely understand why.
As I walked into Panther Café, I saw students—from 9th to 12th grade—completely in their element. Some were carefully pouring coffee, tea, or hot cocoa, as their teacher Matthew Maizel helped assemble the cups into carrying trays. Then came the best part: delivery time. With trays in hand and smiles on their faces, the students set out across campus, bringing drinks (and joy) to staff all over.
Watching them was nothing short of inspiring. Every student had a role, and you could feel their sense of pride and ownership in what they were doing. It wasn’t just about serving drinks—it was about building confidence, learning real-life skills, and connecting with our school community in such a beautiful way.
I saw students taking the initiative, communicating with each staff member they delivered to, and lighting up with every “thank you” they received. The energy was contagious. And it’s clear that Mr. Maizel has created something really special here. He’s built a space where students are supported, challenged, and celebrated. You can tell how much he believes in them—and how much they believe in themselves because of it.
This is what education should look like—hands-on, inclusive, empowering, and joyful. I’m so proud of these students and so grateful I got to be part of their morning.
- HC
