Over the last four months, six Crossroads Academy students have been learning valuable life skills in collaboration with Community Services for Every1, a non-profit organization that assists the local community. On Friday, May 2nd, these important skills were on display as the students prepared and hosted a beautiful Italian luncheon for several district administrators, Crossroads staff members, and Crossroads students.

"Community Services for Every1 is a great program that works with our kids," said Instructor Ayanna Tramont-Neff. "They did a great job with them [students]. It was a great experience."

Thanks to grand-based funding through Community Services for Every1 students Lianna Lopez, Alaiya Janiszeski, Lily Guarino, Tre'na Thorton, Alyssa Sole, and Viole Zuefle successfully completed lessons in hospitality and culinary arts. They learned how to prepare food, be safe in the kitchen, plan balanced meals, budget for groceries, and cook.

The luncheon included pasta, three different sauces, brownie/cookies, salad, pasta toppings, and bread that were either prepared or bought by the students. They set up the tables with tablecloths, dishware, silverware, and flower centerpieces. They spoke about their experience at the beginning of the event, and then got behind the buffet line to serve up a delicious meal.

Along with time management skills and meeting deadlines, this experience helped prepare them for entering the working world after high school and/or college graduation.

"They learned how to work with a group, how to create an event from start to finish, and also what it takes to budget for something like this," said Tramont-Neff. "We were very excited, nervous, and stressed before this event. But they did a great job. I'm so proud of them."

This was Crossroads' first time working with Community Services for Every1, thanks in large part to counselor Reuben Owens. Crossroads hopes to continue working with them and take advantage of the array of programs they offer to local educators and students.