Central Campus Culinary Arts Students Excel at State Competition

Students in the Culinary Arts program at Central Campus took home gold and silver medals in the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) state competition on March 22 in Des Moines. The gold medal winners advance to the national competition in Chicago, Ill.

Gold medal winners include Culinary Arts Team I — Miciah Anderson, senior at Roosevelt High School; Walker Holland, senior at Southeast Polk High School; and Kyle Zimmerman, junior at Southeast Polk High School; Hospitality Team —  Tori Stifel, junior at Roosevelt High School; and Tori Stodden, junior at Valley High School.

Silver medal winners include Culinary Arts Team II — Taylor Drake, senior at Scavo Alternative; Robert Hein, sophomore at Des Moines Christian; and Samantha Zepeda, junior at Hoover High School;  Chapter Service Project — Niki Cade, senior at Roosevelt High School; Allyson Van Pelt, junior at Lincoln High School; and Kala Murphy, junior at Lincoln High School; Entrepreneurship — Kailie Morrow, senior at Southeast Polk High School.

“These students go above and beyond the traditional classroom work to achieve success.  They practice after school and on Saturdays to prepare for competition.  I am proud of their dedication and hard work,” said Elaine Wolf, Culinary Arts instructor.

FCCLA teaches students financial literacy, health and nutrition, career preparation, and early childhood development skills through Family and Consumer Sciences education. FCCLA is a unique organization because its programs are planned and run by student members. It is the only student-led organization with the family as its central focus.