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- Dairy Queen Sign Congratulating Local High School Graduates including Laura Gentry, 1979 - High school teenagers gain valuable work experience at fast-food restaurants -- often their first job. Young employees can learn new skills and gain hands-on knowledge needed for future careers. In 1979, the manager of the Dairy Queen in Harvester, Missouri, showed his appreciation to his workers graduating from high school by adding their names to the restaurant's marquee.

- 1979
- Collections - Artifact
Dairy Queen Sign Congratulating Local High School Graduates including Laura Gentry, 1979
High school teenagers gain valuable work experience at fast-food restaurants -- often their first job. Young employees can learn new skills and gain hands-on knowledge needed for future careers. In 1979, the manager of the Dairy Queen in Harvester, Missouri, showed his appreciation to his workers graduating from high school by adding their names to the restaurant's marquee.
- "Have A Happy Day! Dairy Queen" Button, 1978-1984 - The first Dairy Queen restaurant opened in Joliet, Illinois, in 1940. Since then, the company expanded with franchises offering fast food and brand-named frozen dairy products, including Dilly Bars, Peanut Buster Parfaits, and Blizzards. Many customers remember the signature curly top on Dairy Queen soft-serve ice cream cones. A franchise employee wore this button in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

- 1978-1984
- Collections - Artifact
"Have A Happy Day! Dairy Queen" Button, 1978-1984
The first Dairy Queen restaurant opened in Joliet, Illinois, in 1940. Since then, the company expanded with franchises offering fast food and brand-named frozen dairy products, including Dilly Bars, Peanut Buster Parfaits, and Blizzards. Many customers remember the signature curly top on Dairy Queen soft-serve ice cream cones. A franchise employee wore this button in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
- Dairy Queen Token, circa 1980 - The first Dairy Queen restaurant opened in Joliet, Illinois, in 1940. Since then, the company expanded with franchises offering fast food and brand-named frozen dairy products, including Dilly Bars, Peanut Buster Parfaits, and Blizzards. Many customers remember the signature curly top on Dairy Queen soft-serve ice cream cones. Customers could redeem this promotional token for a free or discounted frozen treat.

- circa 1980
- Collections - Artifact
Dairy Queen Token, circa 1980
The first Dairy Queen restaurant opened in Joliet, Illinois, in 1940. Since then, the company expanded with franchises offering fast food and brand-named frozen dairy products, including Dilly Bars, Peanut Buster Parfaits, and Blizzards. Many customers remember the signature curly top on Dairy Queen soft-serve ice cream cones. Customers could redeem this promotional token for a free or discounted frozen treat.
- Laura Gentry's Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Membership Card, 1978-1979 - The Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), established in 1946, encouraged students to explore the art of marketing (then called distributive education.) Local businesses employed interested students as part of the program -- students worked off-campus in the afternoons. The jobs provided students with personal and professional growth and the work experience needed for future employment.

- 1978-1979
- Collections - Artifact
Laura Gentry's Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Membership Card, 1978-1979
The Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), established in 1946, encouraged students to explore the art of marketing (then called distributive education.) Local businesses employed interested students as part of the program -- students worked off-campus in the afternoons. The jobs provided students with personal and professional growth and the work experience needed for future employment.
- Dairy Queen T-Shirt, circa 1984 - Dairy Queen opened its first store in 1940, specializing in frozen dairy products. The fast-food franchise expanded its menu in the late 1950s, offering hamburgers and other hot foods. In 1979, Dairy Queen trademarked the slogan "More Burger than Bun," which touted the size of its burgers compared to the bun. The company produced branded t-shirts like this for its employees to wear.

- circa 1984
- Collections - Artifact
Dairy Queen T-Shirt, circa 1984
Dairy Queen opened its first store in 1940, specializing in frozen dairy products. The fast-food franchise expanded its menu in the late 1950s, offering hamburgers and other hot foods. In 1979, Dairy Queen trademarked the slogan "More Burger than Bun," which touted the size of its burgers compared to the bun. The company produced branded t-shirts like this for its employees to wear.
- Laura Stupperich's Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri Business Card, 2024 -

- 2024
- Collections - Artifact
Laura Stupperich's Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri Business Card, 2024
- Laura Gentry in her Dairy Queen Uniform, October 31, 1978 -

- October 31, 1978
- Collections - Artifact
Laura Gentry in her Dairy Queen Uniform, October 31, 1978
- Dairy Queen Uniform Blouse, Worn by Laura Gentry, 1978 - Teenagers often gain work experience at fast-food restaurants, and part of the job is wearing a uniform representing the company brand. Laura Gentry wore this uniform when working at the Dairy Queen in Harvester, Missouri, as a senior in high school and later in college. Her hard work tackling all aspects of the job paved the way for her future career in accounting.

- 1978-1984
- Collections - Artifact
Dairy Queen Uniform Blouse, Worn by Laura Gentry, 1978
Teenagers often gain work experience at fast-food restaurants, and part of the job is wearing a uniform representing the company brand. Laura Gentry wore this uniform when working at the Dairy Queen in Harvester, Missouri, as a senior in high school and later in college. Her hard work tackling all aspects of the job paved the way for her future career in accounting.