Some profound insight, often garnished with random rants, tirades and left-field comments, from a cook turned teacher
The Road through Kansas City, Part 2
Tags competition, skillsusa, students
Today was all about the journey. Two yellow school buses, a flight to St. Louis with a connection to Kansas City. A charter bus to the hotel. A rental car to pick up Schlotzky’s to round-up dinner. I have not been in once place long enough to figure out the time zone changes while simultaneously trying to get a schedule in place to help get students in the right place wearing the right gear at the right time. Not complaining, just trying to be the dependable counselor that is necessary to meet the occasion.
It started at…
1:30am – Awake. Can’t sleep, but plenty excited to get to Kansas City. Thinking about the crew that I have coached over the year…
Rachel is gunning for gold in Commercial Baking. A formidable competition, that’s for sure. Pie crust, finished pie, quick bread, braided loaf, knotted rolls, decorated cake, biscuits, scones, cookies, muffins. All produced within a seven-hour window and judged by a spectrum of industry members. This kid has a ton of heart and will benefit, both in character and financially, from performing at her best. This is the young lady that I expect to read about one day; she is committed, incredibly intelligent and wrote the book on hard work. And she is a good person.
Melissa worked with a really dedicated teacher with tons of front-of the house experience. But, being part of the Culinary Arts program, Melissa is part of my gaggle of young competitors. Her competition sounds way easier than what it is. Waiting on tables with simulated food, judged by ‘guests’ in their satisfaction with their ‘meal’ is very subjective and even more difficult with which to assist. Melissa is also very head strong, so our challenges together are both in the competition realm as well as interpersonally. She and I have passively clashed over the years, but I have a ton of faith in her confidence, even though she probably doubts that I give a d@mn. In truth, she has a lot of spirit and, with some industry-induced hardening, she will surprise herself with hearty success.
Becky, José and Paul are showcasing an overnight baking project that provided all of the law enforcement officers in the state with cookies during this past holiday season. While a very enticing presentation to showcase the hard work of the student participants, there are a litany of facets of this competition that are in need of attention; a technology component, memorized speaking pieces, an interactive demonstration, catalog of the planning of the project and a attention grabbing brochure. Plenty of logistical nuance to keep even the most determined group of students tirelessly working. Becky is the senior member of the team and has just graduated. She is really a special kid and has been a pleasure to watch flourish over the years. I want her to experience the sensation of a crowd roaring with applause as she takes the stage to receive a gold medal. This, in all honesty, may be the last time that will happen for her, as she doesn’t really seem to have a shot at the summer Olympics, unless of course, gum chewing becomes a competitive sport. José and Paul are the perfect ying-yang to take the competition reigns from Becky as she moves forward onto the next chapter of her epic. Paul is a doer and José has the higher-order mental function to make it happen. Their collective power to compete is energizing and will be an extraordinary feat to witness. They have a real shot on Thursday!
Samantha and Malissa are involved in a really interesting competition. Basically, it is a culmination of all the community service we have done over the past year, put together in a ‘scrapbook’. But, this isn’t your granny’s scrapbook! This is a professional-looking, story-telling, photo-packed bulk of a book. While their competition is not purely culinary based, this is the first time we have taken on the challenge of this particular contest, the duo smacked down the rivals on the state level, so here we are!
These are just the culinary-based team members; all tolled, there are forty students making the trek to Kansas City from my school, competitions ranging from Digital Media to Dental Assisting to Welding, the SkillsUSA National Conference is laden with students demonstrating amazing prowess at such an early age. I certainly never had the opportunity to stand in the competition arena and certainly did not have the fortitude at seventeen to do so, either.
Tuesday brings orientation meetings, planning and opening ceremonies to officially get this thing off the ground. So much to do; hands are willing, brain is clouding over.
It started at…
1:30am – Awake. Can’t sleep, but plenty excited to get to Kansas City. Thinking about the crew that I have coached over the year…
Rachel is gunning for gold in Commercial Baking. A formidable competition, that’s for sure. Pie crust, finished pie, quick bread, braided loaf, knotted rolls, decorated cake, biscuits, scones, cookies, muffins. All produced within a seven-hour window and judged by a spectrum of industry members. This kid has a ton of heart and will benefit, both in character and financially, from performing at her best. This is the young lady that I expect to read about one day; she is committed, incredibly intelligent and wrote the book on hard work. And she is a good person.
Melissa worked with a really dedicated teacher with tons of front-of the house experience. But, being part of the Culinary Arts program, Melissa is part of my gaggle of young competitors. Her competition sounds way easier than what it is. Waiting on tables with simulated food, judged by ‘guests’ in their satisfaction with their ‘meal’ is very subjective and even more difficult with which to assist. Melissa is also very head strong, so our challenges together are both in the competition realm as well as interpersonally. She and I have passively clashed over the years, but I have a ton of faith in her confidence, even though she probably doubts that I give a d@mn. In truth, she has a lot of spirit and, with some industry-induced hardening, she will surprise herself with hearty success.
Becky, José and Paul are showcasing an overnight baking project that provided all of the law enforcement officers in the state with cookies during this past holiday season. While a very enticing presentation to showcase the hard work of the student participants, there are a litany of facets of this competition that are in need of attention; a technology component, memorized speaking pieces, an interactive demonstration, catalog of the planning of the project and a attention grabbing brochure. Plenty of logistical nuance to keep even the most determined group of students tirelessly working. Becky is the senior member of the team and has just graduated. She is really a special kid and has been a pleasure to watch flourish over the years. I want her to experience the sensation of a crowd roaring with applause as she takes the stage to receive a gold medal. This, in all honesty, may be the last time that will happen for her, as she doesn’t really seem to have a shot at the summer Olympics, unless of course, gum chewing becomes a competitive sport. José and Paul are the perfect ying-yang to take the competition reigns from Becky as she moves forward onto the next chapter of her epic. Paul is a doer and José has the higher-order mental function to make it happen. Their collective power to compete is energizing and will be an extraordinary feat to witness. They have a real shot on Thursday!
Samantha and Malissa are involved in a really interesting competition. Basically, it is a culmination of all the community service we have done over the past year, put together in a ‘scrapbook’. But, this isn’t your granny’s scrapbook! This is a professional-looking, story-telling, photo-packed bulk of a book. While their competition is not purely culinary based, this is the first time we have taken on the challenge of this particular contest, the duo smacked down the rivals on the state level, so here we are!
These are just the culinary-based team members; all tolled, there are forty students making the trek to Kansas City from my school, competitions ranging from Digital Media to Dental Assisting to Welding, the SkillsUSA National Conference is laden with students demonstrating amazing prowess at such an early age. I certainly never had the opportunity to stand in the competition arena and certainly did not have the fortitude at seventeen to do so, either.
Tuesday brings orientation meetings, planning and opening ceremonies to officially get this thing off the ground. So much to do; hands are willing, brain is clouding over.
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