Popcorn popping and tickets tearing, these are the some of the things that senior Mackenzie Schlogl has encountered for the past seven months while working her first job at the Wehrenberg 18 movie theater in St. Charles. Before Schlogl could get a job she knew that she wanted to work at Wehrenberg because when she was younger she loved to watch movies whenever she could get the chance. When she first turned 16, she was told that if she wanted a car, then she would have to get a job first, because she would have to show to her parents that she could be more responsible. She got her car after she got her job.

“She has learned that if she works hard enough that she will be rewarded,”  Mackenzie’s mother Theresa Schlogl said.

Wehrenberg was the first place she applied to back in May, but they never contacted her back. She applied to many other places around St. Charles and places in the Mid Rivers Mall, until deciding to apply again at Wehrenberg. With the help of her friend, she got the job.

When looking for a job, she knew she would have to balance her time between school, color guard, preparing for college and work. To stay organized between everything she has going on, she has designated days where she would focus on one thing and not the other. During the school year, she works less hours than during summer in order to help manage her time with everything.

“My favorite part of the job is the people because they’re from different high schools and different ages,” Mackenzie said. “It’s like another high school and I love it.”

There are many different jobs at the movie theater like concessions, usher and server. When she first began working, she started as a concession host, like most people when they first start. She later moved to the next role and became an usher where she rips tickets and cleans the theater once the movie is over. She is currently an usher, but Schlogl hopes to become a server this summer once she has worked there for one year and has turned 18.

“We love that she works at the movies,” Theresa said. “There’s some nights where Kenzie and I would just go and hangout at the movie theatre for a night and we get free movies, popcorn and soda. It’s a fun thing that she can be a part of.”