PIERRE, SD – Harrisburg High School will receive $5,000 in special funding to update and expand their ProStart program thanks to The Rachael Ray Foundation (RRF).
Harrisburg High School was selected as one of the 27 schools to receive $5,000 through this initiative. The Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grants and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) provided 27 grants, totaling $135,000, to ProStart schools who have demonstrated a strong need to engage and educate high school students interested in exploring restaurant and foodservice jobs and careers.
ProStart is a nationwide, two-year program for high school students that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow's restaurant and hospitality industry leaders. ProStart's industry-driven curriculum provides real-world education and builds practical expertise for a foundation that will last a lifetime from culinary techniques to management skills.
In South Dakota, ProStart is a joint effort of the South Dakota Department of Education, the South Dakota Retailers Association, and the South Dakota ProStart Advisory Committee.
Funding from the RRF ProStart Grow Grants will enable the Harrisburg High School ProStart program to offer more options for industry-real experiences for culinary students by adding a mobile coffee station to their culinary repertoire. Students will learn the skills needed to become a barista and have opportunities to work with students in other key programs within their school like DECA and the Transition programs.
“ProStart educators and students have persevered through this difficult year and are continuing to pursue their passions for restaurants and foodservice against all odds” said Rachael Ray, award-winning television personality and philanthropist. “The Rachael Ray Foundation is proud to support their dreams to become future chefs and restaurateurs and provide them with the resources they need to be successful in their classrooms. We can’t wait to see what these students will accomplish.”
“This grant opportunity allows me and many other students to learn new skills as a barista and gain further knowledge in the industry,” said ProStart Student Alexis Rausch. “For many, this is a chance to experience what it is like to work in foodservice and develop our talents to create delicious coffees!”
Winning schools awarded a ProStart Grow Grant were required to demonstrate how the program is positively impacting their students and the community.
Instructor Deb Rombough explained that her goal is to provide learners with a variety of authentic, industry-based experiences while participating in the ProStart Program at Harrisburg High School.
All Photos Courtesy Jon Klemme