Wisconsin students earn $57,000 in scholarships to continue their education

Madison – The Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation announced today that the students from Badger High School in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin won first place in the culinary competition at the Seventh Annual National ProStart Invitational, held April 24-26 in San Diego, Calif. 

The competition, presented by National Restaurant Association Solutions, brought together  top ProStart® students from 35 states, territories and districts to battle for medals, prizes and scholarships in both culinary and management competitions.  Wisconsin is the first state to win two national titles in the culinary competition.

“These talented students rose to the top of the competition, and brought home this honor for the entire state,” said Ed Lump.  “This success is a testament of the hard work of the students, teachers and mentors, and we couldn’t be more proud of them.  We are honored to support these students as they embark on careers in this exciting industry, and anticipate great success for them.”

The Badger High School culinary team consisted of Clayton Maricle, Kendall Kelly, Michael Pane and Jessica Bania.  The team was taught by Russ Tronsen and mentored by David Ross of Lake Lawn Resort, Ken Hnilo of Gilberts, and Danell Craig of 3D Cakes.  The team prepared a starter, entrée and dessert within 60 minutes and was judged on categories including taste, presentation, safety, sanitation and teamwork.  Their winning menu consisted of live Maine lobster (starter), veal shank with a cranberry wine reduction sauce (entrée), and filled vanilla bean cannelloni (dessert). 

As a result of their success, each of the students was awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and The Coca-Cola Company, the competition’s Premier Sponsor.  Badger High School also won $800 from the NRAEF and The Coca-Cola Company to put towards its ProStart program.

In addition to the NRAEF/Coca-Cola scholarship, students were offered scholarships from Conrad N. Hilton College, Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America, Culinary Arts Academy, The Culinary Institute of America, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes, Johnson & Wales University, Kendall College, New England Culinary Institute, and Professional Culinary Institute.

All four students plan to pursue a career in the foodservice industry.  Maricle is planning to attend University of Wisconsin Stout in the fall and major in Family and Consumer Education or Hospitality and Tourism Management.  Kelly is going to attend the Culinary Institute of America and is planning to become a pastry chef.  Bania and Pane are Juniors and are still considering their post high school options.

The team’s success at the National ProStart Invitational followed their triumph at the state competition, which they had to win to qualify for the national competition.  Badger High School won the Wisconsin ProStart Invitational on March 11, 2008 at the Midwest Airlines Center.  This is the third year in a row that Badger won the state culinary competition. 

About ProStart

The ProStart program encompasses approximately 60,000 students and 1,600 teachers in 47 states, territories and districts.  There are 63 schools and 2300 students enrolled in the ProStart program in Wisconsin.  The career-building program was developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and is managed nationally by National Restaurant Association Solutions in conjunction with state restaurant associations.  The ProStart program is a two-year curriculum designed to teach high school students the management skills needed for a career in the restaurant and foodservice industry.  When students pass two national exams, complete a checklist of competencies, and participate in at least 400 hours of a mentored work experience, they are awarded the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement that signifies they are well qualified to enter the industry workforce. 

For more information on the ProStart program and National ProStart Invitational, please visit www.weareprostart.org.

For more information on the Wisconsin ProStart program, call Bryan Mowry at (800) 589-3211 or visit www.wirestaurant.org.

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Since 1933, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association has been dedicated to the promotion, protection and improvement of the foodservice industry.  The Wisconsin Restaurant Education Foundation’s mission is to promote food service as a professional career path; attract and educate future industry leaders; and provide quality training for those already working in the industry.