*Video B-roll and interviews are included at the end of this release
News Release
San Diego High School Awarded Culinary Arts Grant by the Rachel Ray Foundation and Yum-o! Organization
SAN DIEGO (Feb. 27, 2020) – San Diego High School is one of eight schools across the country selected to receive special funding to upgrade and expand their ProStart programs thanks to $425,000 in grants from The Rachael Ray Foundation (RRF) and Rachael Ray’s Yum-o! Organization.
Through The Rachael Ray Foundation and Yum-o! Organization Grow Grants, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) will provide funding for eight ProStart schools that are offering the program in an effort to engage and educate high school students interested in exploring restaurant and foodservice careers. San Diego High School was selected to receive $42,500 in funding for the initiative and will be able to use their grant funds starting this year.
“This grant will help grow our culinary arts and management program and educate the next generation of restaurant leaders,” said San Diego High School’s TITLE HERE Brian Murphy.
ProStart, a two-year career and technical education program focused on culinary arts and restaurant management, is offered in 1,900 schools across the country and currently enrolls 150,000 students.
The funds will help the San Diego High ProStart program purchase new cookware and equipment that will be used to create a wellness-focused lunch and juice enterprise on campus. Grant funds will also be used to purchase culinary garden supplies, industry partner field trips and experiences, and professional development for the instructors.
“I am thrilled to see the incredible stories of these schools, these students and these teachers,” said Rachael Ray, award-winning television personality and philanthropist. “They’re already doing amazing work every day – and they’re all deserving of the opportunity to do even more. I can’t wait to see what we’re able to cook up with these students!”
Winning schools awarded a ProStart Grow Grant were required to demonstrate how the program is positively impacting their students and the community. “The ProStart Grow Grant initiative is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the winning schools and for ProStart on a larger scale,” said Rob Gifford, president of the NRAEF. “With these grants, we can introduce more students to careers in restaurants and hospitality, expand their learning to real-world experiences and grant them the chance to explore a future that is truly limitless.”
About San Diego High School
San Diego High has a rich history, dating back to 1882 when it opened its doors as Russ School. By 1902, the population was too much for the small, one building school, and a new building, known as “The Old Grey Castle” was constructed and dedicated as San Diego High School in 1907. In 1914, Balboa Stadium was built behind San Diego High School, and would go on to become the home of the San Diego Chargers for six seasons, from 1961 to 1966. San Diego High boats many accomplishments including a big win at this year’s Iron Chef Competition. On January 16, 2020, San Diego High School culinary students placed first place at the 15th Annual Teen Iron Chef Competition.
About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s mission of service to the public is dedicated to enhancing the industry’s training and education, career development and community engagement efforts. The NRAEF and its programs work to Attract, Empower and Advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice workforce. NRAEF programs include ProStart® – a high-school career and technical education program.
About The Rachael Ray Foundation
The Rachael Ray Foundation(tm) is a private foundation funded by a portion of the proceeds of each sale of Rachael Ray(tm) Nutrish®. The Foundation supports causes Rachael cares for most such as helping animals in need and working with organizations to support the “Cook, Feed & Fund” mission of Yum-o!, a non-profit formed by Rachael to empower kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking. To learn more about The Rachael Ray Foundation please visit www.rachaelrayfoundation.org
Enclosed with the B-roll shots are the following interview clips: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vKNXn5tg3YftcpxCoXNKmKkU64bNpyt3/view?usp=sharing
Interview 1:
Name: Brian Murphy
Title: San Diego High School, Culinary Instructor
Interview 2:
Name: Bailey Cook
Title: San Diego High School Culinary Arts and Management Program student
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CONTACT: Maureen Magee, San Diego Unified Communications Director, (619) 381-7930
Jasmine Jones, NRAEF, jajones@nraef.org, 202-315-4101
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