RHS Food Preparation Class Shares Its Goodies

(December 15, 2007 – Riverhead, NY) Who wouldn’t love getting a gift of homemade cookies, pies, fudge or chocolate covered pretzels during the holidays? The students in Mrs. Sczczesny and Mrs. Doucette’s Food Prep and Nutrition class at RHS are getting into the holiday spirit by donating their baked goods to one of the many local charities in Riverhead as part of a holiday baking project. Each of the eight classes has five to six kitchen groups for a total of 160 students. Each group chose a baking project and then chose a charity to help them distribute their baked goods.

“I wanted to give the students the opportunity to help those who are less fortunate,” said Mrs. Doucette. “With December being a big month full of holidays, I thought we could take advantage of the opportunity to do something good for others. I also thought it was important that they got to choose both what to make and to whom they would give it.”

“The students were very enthusiastic about making their baked goods a gift to someone who would really enjoy them over the holidays,” stated Mrs. Sczezesny, who recently returned to teaching in Riverhead after a 25 year break. "The students all really worked hard at making their baked goods look beautiful in appearance and satisfying in taste. It was nice to see them so enthusiastic about helping others.”

Faculty members and students donated metal cookie tins, shoeboxes, decorative boxes, ribbons, bows, wrapping paper, cellophane and other decorative items. The students made holiday cards and packaged the baked goods in the decorative boxes and tins and tied them with ribbons and bows.

A majority of the students liked the idea of donating to a place where children would be the recipients of their work. They chose CHI, Peconic Heights for Women, the Men’s Shelter, the First Congregation Church of Riverhead’s Soup Kitchen, Sister Margaret’s House and the Long Island Council of Churches.

“We are extremely pleased with how well the project turned out,” shared Mrs. Doucette, who just started teaching in Riverhead. "Everyone was very supportive and generous and we’re hoping to do more and more for the community each year. Giving is contagious . . . pass it on! This is one thing we don’t mind sharing during the cold and flu seasons!”

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