Wheel rebuilding. Is it ok to reuse spokes?

There was a girl that worked in the shop where I work that was taking metal parts to a scrappy and getting good money for them which I thought was pretty smart.

That is a good idea. Know we used to do it with cables when we stripped them out of jobs (I'm an electrician), then split it between us for few drinks after work on a friday.
Something that should be encouraged more.