Career Tech ProStart team places 25th in nationals

Mat-Su Career and Technical High School finished in the middle of the pack April 18-20 at the annual National ProStart Invitational at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, Calif.

The Valley team finished 25th among 48 teams nationwide.

Chef and educator Michael Graham accompanied culinary team members Jennika Conway, Claire East, Sara Ladner, Patrick Forman and Avery Ballais to the competition, which was hosted by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

Carolyn Frey, who previously taught ProStart at the school, mentored the students.

“ProStart is developing the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s industry leaders. We are very proud of our team’s success,” said Amber Novak, Director of Education Programs and ProStart Coordinator for Alaska. “ProStart is changing their lives and helping them on the path to success in the hospitality and tourism industry.”

Each student on the team received more than $49,000 in scholarship offerings at the Alaska ProStart Invitational in January from the Art Institute, Culinary Institute of America, Johnson and Wales, Louisiana Culinary Institute, the New England Culinary Institute, the Chef’s Academy, Le Cordon Bleu, Indiana University, the Mississippi University for Women, the Culinard, and Sullivan University.

More than 600 Alaska students are served by ProStart and supported by the Alaska CHARR Educational Fund.

ProStart is a two-year educational program supported by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation in partnership with state restaurant associations.

When students meet academic standards, complete a checklist of competencies, and work at least 400 hours in the industry, they are awarded the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement that signifies they are well qualified to enter the industry workforce.

For more information, visit alaskaprostart.com.