The Future Is Bright
By Lori McCurdy
As my son’s high school graduation has come and gone, I find myself in deep reflection of the memories that have lead us to this moment. Even though it has come with struggles, my son has a direction. He knows what he wants to do.
Although he grew up in a family that likes to cook (he certainly has lots of memories of licking cake batter off the spoon, and baking cinnamon rolls with his grandma) I am also thankful for the opportunities his public school education has afforded him. In third grade, he participated in a pilot project called Harvest of the Month. Each month, he excitedly shared a new recipe with us at home. He marveled at the way Brook Harlan could flip an omelette and practiced until he was able to perfect it too. His appreciation for fresh and seasonal food only grew from there. In middle school, we toured the Columbia Area Career Center (CACC), and he counted the days when he could take classes in one of those “fancy” kitchens. He continued experimenting in our home kitchen, using what was in our fridge to create dinner for his family.
When high school rolled around, he wasn’t so excited about school anymore, but it was the Culinary Arts Program that got him out of bed in the mornings. He would come home and excitedly share his new knowledge with us; how to chiffonade-cut fresh herbs, making the perfect rue, pairing flavors that compliment a dish, etc. He brought us samples he made at school to try as well, and even our taste buds could tell he was acquiring great skills! His education through the Culinary Arts Program has been extensive and thorough. He even had the experience of harvesting a live chicken and processing it for the table. For years, the CACC and CCUA have partnered for our Harvest Hootenanny, and by age 16, my son had experienced what it was like to serve nearly 1,000 people at a public event.
His experiences at school grew his confidence. He started working at a local restaurant at a very early age, dedicating his weekends to serving the public….starting as “dish dog,” then moving on to prep, and now cooking on the line. He understands working in a kitchen is like being part of a team. His loyalty is unwavering. The week before graduation, he acquired a second job at a fine dining restaurant. When so many kids his age will be shuffling off to college, unsure of their future, my son has direction.
It’s not the path I expected him to take, but it’s his path. I am confident that he will succeed in life, using the tools that he learned in culinary arts class! One of my son’s final projects in English was a paper on the vast opportunities offered at CACC. He advocated that more students should consider learning a trade, to find a passion and a joy in what they do, instead of folding under the pressure that the next step is college. I am so thankful for his dedicated teachers who helped motivate him to succeed, especially Chef Jeff Rayl for going above and beyond! And if you have a high schooler, please consider looking into all the amazing opportunities that the Columbia Area Career Center offers. They make the future look bright!
Levi McCurdy (center, white hat) smiles as he gets ready for the 7th annual Harvest Hootenanny with his instructors and classmates.