Joliet West Culinary Students Serve Food At Joliet Fire Department's First Survivors Recognition Ceremony

(The following press release came from Kristine Schlismann, director of Community & Alumni Relations for Joliet Township High School.)

JOLIET, IL — Four Joliet West High School culinary arts students put their classroom training to work in the community last week, helping host about 100 guests at the Joliet Fire Department's first Survivors Recognition Ceremony on September 3 at Bicentennial Park.

Yerik Flores, Natalia Thompson, Angelica Stokes and Tylor Jimerson worked the event throughout the evening, plating and serving food from Bella Cucina Catering as the department honored survivors and the first responders who assisted them.

"This heartfelt event honored the lives of patients who overcame near-tragic experiences and now have more time to spend with their families, friends and community," said Timothy Chaplin, Battalion Chief of EMS for the Joliet Fire Department. "These students not only showcased their talents, they also gained valuable customer service experience while earning community service hours toward graduation. Giving students real-world experience while serving their own community is a win for everyone, and those hours will stay with them long after graduation."

The students represent the culinary arts program at Joliet West High School, part of a Career and Technical Education pathway at Joliet Township High School that pairs classroom instruction with work-based learning in the Joliet community.

"Working an event like this teaches things a classroom cannot," said Jasmine Rosenboom, Culinary Arts Instructor and Work-Based Learning Coordinator at Joliet West. "Our students had to read the room, keep the service moving and represent their school in front of a full house. They did it well."