Photo By Amy Perry | Three Hopewell High School officials – Thomas Pond, principal, Stephanie Poe,...... read more read more
FORT LEE, Va. (Aug. 10, 2017) -- Three Hopewell High School administrators were the guests of honor at a special lunchtime buffet prepared by students of the Advanced Culinary Skills Training Course here Friday.
Thomas Pond, principal, Stephanie Poe, assistant principal, and Larry Cherry, dean of students, dined with leaders from the 266th Quartermaster Battalion and Joint Culinary Center of Excellence. The meal was followed by a tour of the food service training facility where more than 5,000 military members attend classes each year. A partnership under the installation’s Adopt-A-School program provided the impetus for the visit.
“Bravo Company teamed up with Hopewell High in April 2017,” explained Capt. Jeremy Grant, who commands the 266th QM Bn. unit. “We saw the tour as a great opportunity to showcase some of the exceptional things our Soldiers do on Fort Lee, as well as providing a unique look at the sustainment part of the Army.”
While touring the JCCoE cooking labs, Raymond Beu, director of training, discussed the core principles of the military culinary arts program, noting how it goes far beyond the routine duties of a “line cook” and is more akin to the curriculum of some of the finest cooking schools in the country. JCCoE also places a lot of emphasis on civilian credentialing and food service industry partnerships. The Hopewell High administrators took great interest in the presentation. It opened an opportunity to discuss ideas and goals of the culinary arts class for students at their school.
Grant reflected on the visit, noting how he and other unit leaders want to capitalize on their mission of training and housing initial entry 92G culinary specialist troops. He said it raises mentorship possibilities between Bravo Company Soldiers and the students of the Hopewell High culinary program.
“(The JCCoE) concentrates some of the most skilled culinary arts specialists in the military into one location,” Grant observed. “We are working to build relationships between this unique organization and Hopewell High School in order to provide mentorship and positive role models to its students.
“Mrs. Poe said the culinary program at the high school speaks to some of their students in a way traditional classes can’t,” the captain continued. “It’s a program in which students receive validation and praise for something they accomplish. It some instances, that may be absent in the student’s home life. One of our goals is to strengthen the high school program’s ability to reach and positively impact these young adults.”
Another potential benefit of the partnership program, according to Pond, is the opportunity to show his students additional options available to them after graduation.
“We want to get the individuals in the culinary program at Hopewell High School to tour the schoolhouse at Fort Lee to learn more about the military culinary program,” he said. “We want to show them there are a lot of different options for culinarians.”
Alluding to the Hopewell High partnership in general, Grant said it has garnered a favorable response from his Soldiers who appreciate the opportunity and outlet to give back to the community.
“My first sergeant and I specifically asked for a high school when we were initiating our Adopt-a-School project,” he said, “because we feel that providing good role models to students at that level can have lasting and life-changing impacts, especially for youth who otherwise don’t have many opportunities to receive mentorship. We have already been able to assist with the summer school program by providing mentors and will continue to strengthen our relationship.
“Bravo also will continue to strengthen its relationship with the Army JROTC program at the school,” Grant continued. “We have outstanding and professional NCOs who volunteer their time to teach drill and ceremony movements, as well as provide mentorship to students in the program. We’re also providing support within the scope of the Adopt-a-School program by assisting the school with other events for students in general.”
Pond is clearly appreciative of Bravo Company’s initiative, saying he’s excited about the upcoming school year and seeing the company Soldiers interact with his students.
“I respect all of them for serving our country,” he said. “For them to come over and help at our school, it means a lot to us.”
| Date Taken: | 08.10.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2017 12:37 |
| Story ID: | 244433 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 51 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Local school officials get taste of Fort Lee's culinary arts expertise, by Amy Perry, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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