Development of Human Capital

The Culinary Career Pathway Program at Wyandotte High School looks different from the cooking classes of past generations. The courses now focus on what it’s like to work in a professional kitchen, and the students even have real gigs. 

“One of my favorite things to make was gumbo. I also liked making doughnuts,” said junior Dorien Womack. 

Womack has been in the Culinary Pathway since he was a freshman, taking classes every year. “I love it because of the teacher and the opportunities I have in the kitchen. I get to cook daily, which is my passion,” said Womack. “As of right now, I plan to continue in this.” 

“I feel like there’s a lot of creative things you can do while cooking, and Mr. Thompson helps us think about different options for dishes,” said Senior Kyla Jefferson. 

After the introductory Culinary Essentials class, where they learn some of the industry vocabulary and other basics, students move on to Culinary 1, where they not only build their skills in the kitchen but also have an opportunity to get their Serve Safe Food Handlers License. 

In addition to counting as a Diploma+ certification, students can use that license to help get a job while still in high school. Culinary 2 and Event Planning classes focus on both the front and back of the house, and there are Baking and Pastry 1 and 2 classes where students learn about cakes and bread. Finally, the students in Culinary Applications run the show by designing events, planning menus, assigning workers, and more. 

The students cater various events for Wyandotte High School and the district. “We do what’s called Dreams to Reality, a lunch for students in each of the academies to meet with people that work in that industry,” said Culinary and Event Planning Instructor Patrick B. Thompson. 

“It gives them a chance to test their skills and put what they’ve learned in the classroom into practical application,” said Thompson. “It also helps them build confidence, which I almost think is more important than the skills. Because once they have the confidence, they get better.” 

“It’s building my confidence a lot. It’s preparing me for the real world,” said Womack. 

“When making decisions about students, I think they are the most important stakeholder because it is happening to them.”

- Dr. Stubblefield, Superintendent of Schools

In the 2022-2023 school year, Superintendent Dr. Anna Stubblefield visited each high school to meet with groups of students to listen to what they had to say and learn about what they thought their schools could be doing better. 

“KCKPS students are the most important stakeholders. It’s important to listen to them because our decisions impact them.” 

“A common theme at every school? The food can improve,” said Stubblefield. “They also consistently say that they need a moment every day to breathe. A time where they can either work on homework or prep for the next thing.” 

Stubblefield took a group of students to the Nutritional Services Central Kitchen so they could do a tasting. That feedback directly impacted changes made for the 2023-2024 school year menu. 

“For the things we cannot change, we try to give them information on why so that they know their voices are being heard,” said Stubblefield. 

Student feedback like this isn’t new. Stubblefield has been meeting monthly with a Student Advisory Board with representatives from all high schools. 

“Their feedback really impacts what we are doing. Everything from the food to the bathrooms, to the cameras,” said Stubblefield. “As we are making big or small decisions, if I can run it past them, I have this group of authentic voices letting me know what we can do better.”

I had an excellent experience as a Harmon High School student-athlete under Mr. O’Neil’s (Coach) leadership. Coach taught me to lead on and off the field. He is a man of his word and a great mentor. He mentored me throughout my senior year and still does.

I have always tried to be on top of my grades and attendance because you are a student first and an athlete second; you should get your education before anything else.

While a team captain for the 2022 Harmon Hawks football season, I showed leadership skills that can be applied to future endeavors, allowing me to lead and inspire others to make positive changes. This gives me a sense of purpose, and I aim to utilize it to better my community.

My transitioning to college as a full-time student-athlete stressed me during the first few weeks with class, homework, practice, study hall, and team meetings. Still, I could discipline myself and manage my time here. Years of preparation at Harmon High School taught me this.

Twenty-one juniors at Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools learned in May of 2023 that they were awarded a $50,000 scholarship to attend college. 

Each awardee received up to $50,000 over five years to earn a two, or four-year degree at one of 17 schools in the KC Scholars network. 

Twin sisters Coral and Cristal De Los Santos were awarded scholarships. They are both considering going into medicine because they like helping people. “I feel good. I feel happy that I accomplished something,” said Cristal. 

The KC Scholars scholarship program is dedicated to making sure low and modest-income students in the greater Kansas City area have an opportunity to attend college. 

“We are not just here to write a check. We want to make sure students persist all the way through. College isn’t the end. We want them to have great paying jobs and be tied to our network and community,” said KC Scholars Chief Operating Officer Natalie Lewis.

The Rudd Scholarship Foundation helps 30 Kansas High School Seniors reach their college goals every year. The Foundation is a program that provides a competitive 4-year full-ride scholarship to students in the state of Kansas who qualify for Pell Grants. If selected, students can attend one of three schools with this award—Wichita State University, Emporia State University, and Fort Hayes State University. 

Ryan Richardson, a Sumner Academy of Arts and Science graduate, was selected as a Rudd Scholar. The award will help Richardson with tuition, fees, books, supplies, and room and board funding. “I was in shock when this happened.” Said Richardson, “Suddenly getting college paid for was not just a dream, but 

a reality.” 

To receive this award, Ryan had to maintain at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA, be a Kansas resident, and graduate in 2023. While at Wichita State University, Ryan plans to study engineering and business and minor in 

computer science. 

Ryan has aspirations to one day become an IT entrepreneur and find a way to help give back to his community. “I want to help my community by providing low-income students a chance to thrive and eventually go to college,” said Richardson.