Latest news with #NortheastHighSchool
CBS News
03-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Maryland high schools earn top three awards at National Culinary Cook-off
Over 400 future star chefs took over Baltimore on Saturday for a National Culinary Cook-off. Some of the nation's top high school chefs and restaurateurs competed in the National ProStart Invitational (NPSI), where the next generation of taste makers won top titles, scholarships, and more. "These students will be competing and preparing dishes that are absolutely world-class. Can be served in the finest restaurants in America," Rob Gifford, the president of the National Restaurant Association's Educational Foundation, said. "Integration of skills, the professional flair is extraordinary to watch." Maryland high schools sweep top three awards Over the last few weeks, students competed across the country at state competitions for the opportunity to participate in nationals. Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) showcased its culinary excellence at the recent Maryland ProStart Student Invitational, sweeping the top three awards in a competition that featured the top eight teams from across the state. "You know, we just kind of played around with things, and, you know, that helped us come up with our concept. And it really it's so exciting to be able to come," said Angela Adams, Northeast High School's Culinary Instructor. The Northeast High School team of Connor Bateman, IfeOluwa Olajide, Jairo Lopez, and M.J. Monforte claimed the top spot on the podium. Teams from South River High School took the next two spots. The quartet of Tania Gomez, Megan Preis, Camaya Wise, and Jackie Menjivar finished second, while Aileen Oshlo, Katherine Lippincott, and Rin Holly were third. With over $200,000 in scholarships on the line, NPSI gives students a chance to one day kick off a career in culinary arts. "It starts at this level, where you experience playing with food and different equipment, and then, you know, I think you can just grow from there," Adams explained. How does the competition work? The NPSI is broken up into two events: Culinary Competition: Teams prepare a three-course meal in 60 minutes, with no running water or electricity. Management Competition: Teams pitch innovative restaurant concepts and tackle real-world business challenges. Resilience after the storm Each team came from different backgrounds and brought their own unique flair to the showcase. Asheville High School (AHS) from North Carolina was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene and was forced to close for over a month for emergency operations. But the team never stopped 'cooking' up a plan. "During the storm, whenever we were able to get back together and communicate, we had some tough conversations to see if this was something that we wanted to do, but actually, it gave us something to look forward to," Chef Sara Monson, Asheville High School's Culinary Instructor, told WJZ's Janay Reece. "So it was a real bright spot in our school year." Now, the students have worked their way up to nationals to compete with their friends and show off their restaurant concept, using the positives of what came from the storm's aftermath to inspire them to compete. The Asheville team's restaurant concept was called "Tempest" and was based on serving comfort food to customers. Chef Stretch "Nuri," who served as a competition judge this year, told WJZ that Prostart is the place where young chefs can unite, grow, and cook up something great. "Just cook good food, and may the best chefs win. May the best team win. That would be my advice to the students now or anyone competing in the future," Chef Stretch said. "So many young people don't understand that there are more than 70 different vocations that exist in the restaurant industry and unbelievable career paths that exist as well," Rob Gifford added. ProStart is a nationwide, two-year high school program that unites the classroom and the industry, cultivating the next generation of restaurant and foodservice leaders.
CBS News
24-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Most high schoolers want to learn about personal finance. Pennsylvania will soon require it.
As she stepped into her first period to take her seat, Oreolewa Adetola called it the most important class she had ever taken. "When it comes to other classes, we might not need those classes depending on what we do after high school, but this class, I feel like everybody will need it after high school," she said. The senior at Northeast High School is talking about her financial literacy course. On the day CBS News Philadelphia was there, teacher Steve Novosel was talking taxes and walking students through how to navigate a W-2 form. "It's probably one of the most gratifying experiences I've had as a teacher," Novosel said. He started teaching the course three years ago and said he's already seeing a return on his investment. "The first year I had one class, the second year I had two, this year I had four," Novosel said. "Next year I'm going to have a full roster of financial classes. So it's growing, kids are talking about it, and it's amazing to teach with them." The students start by making vision boards of what they want their life to look like by the time they're 30 years old. Those posters hang on the ceiling of the classroom. Novosel says students then spend the semester learning the money skills they need to make their vision a reality. But this is about way more than budgeting. The class starts with lessons on the psychology of money. Then students are taught about saving, investing, building credit, managing debt and how to financially advocate for themselves. "A student went to his supervisor and asked for a raise, and got a $4 raise just by speaking up and trying to give credit to his work," Novosel said. "So all those life lessons that they're learning now is 10 years ahead of where I was at their age." Studies show requiring financial education improves credit scores, lowers loan delinquency rates and reduces the likelihood of falling behind on credit card payments. But several surveys in recent years also reveal widespread regret among Americans who say they wish they'd learned more about finances growing up. Nationwide, 85% of high schoolers say they want to learn about financial topics, according to business software company Intuit . As support for financial literacy education has grown, more high schools have begun offering courses on the topic, and soon it will be a graduation requirement for Pennsylvania students. The Commonwealth is now among 26 states to enact a personal finance requirement, according to Next Gen , a nonprofit that advocates for personal finance education. The law was passed in 2023. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, Pennsylvania high schools must provide a financial literacy course that students will have to take to graduate. Similar requirements vary by district in New Jersey and Delaware, according to Next Gen data. In schools like Northeast High, Philadelphia Financial Scholars has been working to bridge the gap. Since 2016, the nonprofit has partnered with interested schools to provide curriculum and training for teachers like Novosel, for free. "We've taken some teachers who have never thought they would be teaching personal finance," said Danielle Hernandez, a specialist with the nonprofit who offers guidance to teachers. "We provide them with everything so that all they really need to do is decide what works best for their students." Brian Varughese is one of those students. The Northeast senior is headed to Temple in the fall, now with a new major. "My major is finance, and I chose that because of this class," he said. It's a class these students believe will pay off. Do you have a money question, a consumer issue, or a scam story you want to share? Email InYourCorner@
