Teacher: Rebecca Griffin

School: Tiger Trades Academy

Website: lajuntaschools.org

Address: 1401 East 6th Street, La Junta, CO 81050

Grade Level: Secondary

Region: Southeast

Project Title: Build a Better Kitchen

Category: Vocational & Physical Education

Funding Amount Requested: $1,000

Project Description:
Tiger Trades Academy in La Junta, CO, serves a community with high poverty rates, where many students are raised by grandparents. The school's mission is to empower students to lead purposeful and impactful lives through adaptability, thoughtfulness, and capabilities. In my class, I teach food safety, culinary arts, and life skills. I aim to ensure that students can prepare meals from scratch and become self-sufficient members of society. I also teach animal science, where we cover various topics and host a petting zoo for local youth and the nearby nursing home.

Photos:
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Impact:
We started canning two years ago in our small classroom kitchen and had success selling our goods to purchase a freezer and a new stove. These contributions have helped us expand cooking activities and foster student excitement for culinary learning. The funds from this grant would allow us to improve our canning process and support projects such as our local 4H members who compete at county fairs. One of our students even placed Reserve Champion at the Colorado State Fair for a creative cooking contest.

Use of Funds:

• Bell Electric water bath for canning: $279
• Brinsea 28 egg incubator for hatching chicks: $400
• Stainless steel utility deep sink for washing dishes: $269

Total: $1,000