McKay
High School’s Darla Barton recognized
for outstanding contribution to developing the
future of the restaurant and foodservice industry
Demonstrating its strong commitment to education,
the Oregon Restaurant Education Foundation (OREF)
has announced the 2007 recipient of the ProStart
Inspirational Leader (Teacher) of the Year award.
Salem educator Darla Barton of McKay High School
is this year’s winner.
“We are tremendously proud to recognize
the dedication, passion for teaching and enthusiasm
that teachers provide in making the Oregon ProStart
school-to-career program a true success,”
said Sharon Lingenfelter, Executive Director
of the OREF. “Darla has clearly demonstrated
to her students how restaurants are the cornerstone
of career-and-employment opportunities and have
an enormous impact on the future of our industry.”
In 2006, the McKay High School culinary arts
team took second place at the ProStart State
High School Boyds Coffee Cup Culinary Championships,
won first place at the Junior Iron Chef Challenge
at The Bite of Oregon, and also won first place
at the first-ever ProStart Gingerbread House
competition in December at SYSCO Food Services
of Portland.
“I enjoy providing the opportunity to
participate in these events, and am there to
support the students,” says Barton. “I
reassure them when things don’t go well,
and celebrate with the students when they do.
It is really enjoyable working with young people
interested in hospitality careers!”
The Inspirational Leader of the Year Award
recognizes an exceptional Oregon high school
teacher who uses the ProStart program in their
classroom. The instructor honored with a ProStart
Inspirational Leader Award was nominated by
peers, colleagues and co-workers, and Barton
was selected based on exceptional dedication
to the ProStart program. As a winner of the
state award, Barton will receive an all expense-paid
trip to the annual National Restaurant Association
Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago where
she will be recognized at a special national
event in May. The Association's annual Restaurant,
Hotel-Motel Show is the largest single gathering
of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals
in North and South America.
