A Recipe for Success
 

When Randy first came to Green Tree he was known for stirring up trouble with other students. Today, he is still mixing things up, but now he does his mixing in a bowl. Randy is part of Green Tree's Food Service Skills Unit and a shining example of how much a student can change and excel.

Randy was referred to Green Tree by his home school district when he began acting out. He would start fights with other students, was often truant and refused to do school work.  "I think I was looking for attention," the tall, lanky, 16 year-old explains. "I felt ignored at home and at school."

  His craving for attention landed him at Green Tree at age 11. "My first day here I was really intimidated by the other students," he recalls. "I wasn't sure I was going to make it. I thought, ‘what have I gotten myself into?’.” But Randy found an island oasis in a sea of fear in The School's Food Service Skills Unit.

The Food Service Skills Unit is a program where students earn credit and salary while learning vocational skills in the culinary arts. Under the supervision, the students operate food services. Students place orders with vendors, prepare meals and serve meals to the rest of the student body.

As a youngster, Randy was often found in his kitchen, following his mother and aunt around as they prepared meals. "My mom is a great cook, she got me interested in cooking," he says.  When he became a part of the Food Service Skills Unit, Randy found his niche. "This program was a natural fit for Randy," says Mary Belmondo , home economics teacher. "He found an environment in which he was comfortable and that made it possible for him to grow."

In order to be a part of the program, a student is required to keep up their academic work and follow their Individual Education Plan (IEP). "Randy really began to develop," Mrs. Belmondo says. "He was motivated to be here, so he has kept up with all his school work and is following his IEP to the letter."   Mrs. Belmondo adds that his growth is not limited to his school work. "Randy's personality has developed, he is very determined to get a recipe just right and he has become a leader to the other students.

Described as a mad scientist when he is cooking, Randy is in his element in the kitchen. "I'm in my own little world when I am in the kitchen. I feel like I am in a safe place," says Randy. He has become something of a celebrity to his classmates. "When students smell something good cooking in the kitchen, they usually come in to see Randy at work. Everyone loves to sample his latest creation," says Mrs. Belmondo.  And Randy receives immense pleasure serving his dishes to others. He is finally getting the attention, the positive attention, he desired as a child.

"Randy's specialty is chocolate chip cookies," Mrs. Belmondo explains. "I took Mrs. Belmondo's recipe and added my own secret ingredient to it," adds Randy.  Randy refuses to share that secret with anyone, not even Mrs. Belmondo. "When Randy shows other students how to prepare chocolate chip cookies, he uses my recipe, not his, to teach them," Mrs. Belmondo says with a smile.

As a result of his involvement in the Food Services Unit, Randy has a job working in the kitchen at the Philadelphia University . Next year, because of his success at Green Tree, he will return to public school most likely in a vocational school providing a culinary arts program. Ultimately, Randy's goal is to graduate high school and enroll in a culinary arts school. Although Randy will be leaving Green Tree, The School intends to continue supporting and guiding Randy toward that goal.