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ProStart
makes a difference…
one student at a time
Living in tiny Yoncalla,
Oregon, which is nestled in a quiet, grassy
valley in the Coast Range Mountains, high
school junior Rachael Leslie once longed
to be a
rock star and escape this logging town.
But after thinking it over, she realized
that maybe that dream was unrealistic, and
started watching the Food Network. She got
interested in cooking, and began by preparing
meals for her family. The next step was
signing up for the ProStart class at Yoncalla
High School with teacher Sharon New. And
Rachael confirmed her new passion that she
really wanted to be a chef. The state high
school culinary competition beckoned, and
she was chosen to go to the Boyds Coffee
Cup Oregon ProStart contest, but her grades
weren’t up to par last year. This year,
she realized that in order to fulfill her
new direction, she was going to have to
get serious about her career path and focus
on her ProStart classes .
As Rachael put it: “This
year is my junior year in high school, and
I really wanted to look good. I had a bad
reputation before. So I tried my hardest
to do the best that I could, so that I might
be chosen for the team going to the state
competition.” And the payoff was immediate:
she was selected to compete on the team
representing Yoncalla. Rachael was excited,
saying, “I don’t think I had ever been so
happy. I felt like this is my time to shine.”
And she got to work preparing for the state
contest. The team practiced for the competition
until they felt like they could do the recipes
in their sleep, and then they practiced
even more. Finally, the big day arrived.
“When we finally got to Portland for the
competition I was ecstatic. We had a blast.
Then it came to the cooking. Right before
we competed, I was scared. Saylor, one of
the team members and a good friend, tried
to help me calm down and she did a pretty
good job. Then we went in there and did
the best job ever. After we were done, I
was so relieved.” Little did the team know
what was in store for them later that evening.
After the contest was
over, the awards banquet to celebrate the
day’s hard work began. The Yoncalla High
School team clapped and cheered those who
had won the Management Competition. The
mood in the room became tenser as the culinary
competition winners were about to be announced.
Rachael recounts the moment, “Third place
was announced, and even though I was clapping,
I was upset. I thought there’s no way we
placed higher than third, I told myself.
Then the team next to us won second place,
and I told my team, “Hey, even though we
didn’t win, the team next to us did.” Finally,
first place was announced and the shock
hit us: Yoncalla. I thought it was a mistake!
The best part was walking up on stage with
my team members and hugging that trophy.
For the first time in my life, I didn’t
fail. We are winners!” She added, “Pro-Start
has helped me so much. This experience has
truly changed me. Before I did this, I was
in the wrong crowd. But with the help of
my team and with the encouragement of Pro-Start,
I’ve changed dramatically. I find myself
doing bigger and better things and if I
don’t become a rock star that’s okay with
me. I have a culinary career. I know now
that I can be a chef and in fact that’s
what I’ve decided to do. I want go to Johnson
and Wales. And I hope with all of my skills
and everything that I have learned, that
I can get in.”
 When
Rachael was plating up her food at the National
ProStart Culinary Competition in Orlando,
Florida, her head was bent down and she
looked intent. But more was going on in
this remarkable young lady’s mind than just
arranging her food on the plate. She remarked
to one team supporter watching the competition,
“Did you see me bend my head down while
working on my plate? I was crying. I was
crying because this the most amazing moment
of my life. ProStart has changed my life
forever.” That’s what ProStart does. It
opens doors and minds to the potential of
the hospitality industry and beyond.
Looking for More??
There are a number
of success stories about ProStart™
students getting practical, real-life
experience in preparing food for
catering projects, special events,
and community programs.
To read more, check out other
articles on student programs.
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For more
information or to get involved today, contact:
Dawn Tryon, CTP
ProStart Hospitality Program
State School to Career Director, Oregon
Oregon Restaurant Education Foundation
8565 SW Salish Lane, Suite 120
Wilsonville OR 97070
503-682-4422 x141 or 800-462-0619
dawn@OREFoundation.org
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