Elgin High culinary arts students win state competition
Four Elgin High School culinary arts students were recognized this week for their successful restaurant business plan, which won a state culinary competition.
Seniors Jessica Aguayo, Jorge Delgado, Yesenia Rosas, and Shelby Stoltz presented an altruistic restaurant business plan that earned them first place at the 17th annual Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation ProStart Student Invitational in March at McCormick Place in Chicago.
It's the fourth time in five years an EHS team took top honors at the state competition. The students also competed nationally last weekend.
"The annual state competition allows our students to perform in front of some of the top industry professionals," said Terri Lozier, U-46 assistant superintendent of secondary education.
"It's an honor just to compete at the state level, but especially rewarding to see our Elgin High School students show off their skills and prove they're ready to succeed within the culinary world."
Elgin High culinary arts teachers Kara Donash and Elizabeth Schimmel and former EHS teacher Ann Leider led the team.
EHS culinary arts students run Clumsy Chef, a restaurant and catering company housed within the school. The winning team presented a business plan for a self-sustaining, nonprofit restaurant aimed to provide healthy meals, made from locally grown ingredients, for free or a donation to those most in need. As part of the competition, students presented their complete restaurant concept, business and marketing plan to judges.
The EHS restaurant management team represented U-46 and the state, competing against dozens of teams in the National ProStart Invitational in Charleston, South Carolina, last weekend.
Volunteers of the Year:
Elgin Area School District U-46 hosted its 20th annual volunteer reception celebrating those who donated their time and talents this school year.
U-46 CEO Tony Sanders named Kids Hope USA as the 2017 Volunteers of the Year.
"This award recognizes the very special and significant impact Kids Hope USA makes in the lives of students across our district," Sanders said. "We can't thank these volunteers enough for the resources and support they have provided our schools and our students."
Kids Hope USA is a nonprofit that works one-on-one with students through the creation of a church-school partnership matching mentors to students who need additional support.
The 133 Kids Hope volunteers in U-46 spend at least one hour per week reading, talking, and playing with students in 13 schools.
To watch a video featuring a Kids Hope USA mentor with a Lowrie Elementary School student, visit youtu.be/nw9UB6s8Mpc.
U-46 also presented for the first time a "Helping Hands" award to recognize volunteerism at the school level. The inaugural award was given to Loni Rusciano and Ingred Kardynalski of Huntley and Shirley Thillen of New Port Richey, Florida, who knitted 566 hats for Elgin's Hillcrest Elementary School students.
A video featuring the knitters can be viewed at youtu.be/jZcZCSEoZ4U.
Sanders also acknowledged volunteers districtwide. The Citizens' Advisory Council, the African American and Bilingual Parent Advisory Councils, and the School Safety Advisory Task Force were among the volunteer groups in attendance. Their members consistently support student learning and academic success.