Ramstein Middle School students see fun side of food careers

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class John Zumer | U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bill Michitsch, left, the G-4 food service technical adviser with the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, shows students at Ramstein Middle School how to attractively garnish fruits and vegetables in Kaiserslautern, Germany, May 17, 2013. The students were part of the Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) college preparatory program, which showcases life skills needed to succeed in a variety of careers. The AVID program uses a language arts-based curriculum with emphasis on the writing process and writing as a tool of learning. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. John Zumer/Released)  

KAISERSLAUTERN, RHEINLAND-PFALZ, GERMANY

05.17.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. John Zumer 

10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – In the course of a long military career, Chief Warrant 2 Bill Michitsch, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command G-4 food service technical adviser, has visited 28 countries and 43 states. Despite the glitz and glamour of being a world traveler, however, a chance to share his culinary experiences with Ramstein Middle School students was one adventure he wouldn’t pass up for other exotic locations.

“My best times in the Army were in Haiti [providing earthquake relief in 2010] and when I get to do this,” said Michitsch, a native of Tivoli [Red Hook], N.Y.

The May 17 visit was facilitated by Sequinn Lee, a 6th grade teacher at RMS who coordinates the school’s Advancement via Individual Determination college preparatory program. With three students from the class contemplating future careers in food service, Lee was grateful for the first-hand experiences Michitsch was able to share with her prospective chefs and the other students.

“To see someone with CW2 Michitsch’s experience and expertise is not only inspirational, but shows that with hard work and determination they can accomplish anything they want to,” said Lee.

AVID is a language arts-based curriculum with emphasis on the writing process and writing as a tool of learning. In addition to inquiry and collaboration, students also learn academic survival skills, time management, note taking, and improved study habits, among others. Students enjoyed listening to the many anecdotes Michitsch shared about his food service career, which also contained a healthy dose of instruction and reminders.

“Everybody loves food, needs food and wants food,” he said, all the while stressing proper temperatures, hygiene and creativity in the culinary arts.

Students were treated to demonstrations in attractively garnishing fruits and vegetables for the dinner table. With active participation by the students, bananas, melons, radishes and apples were transformed into fruit cups and other objects that all students were able to sample.

“I love cooking, and this just showed me that I can do more things with food and experiment,” said Hayden Patton, a 6th grader in the AVID class contemplating a food service career.

Many students asked Michitsch questions during the class, on topics ranging from career choices, working in the food industry and how Army cooking differs from the civilian market. Regardless of the challenges faced in any future endeavor or career, Michitsch urged the students to maintain a positive, never-quit attitude.

“Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it,” said Michitsch.

Lee agreed, emphasizing the continued importance of AVID and related programs in helping to teach students how to be more critical, independent thinkers, whether they follow a career in food service or not.

“It’s all about problem solving and learning to use what you have up here,” said Lee.

• Date Taken: 05.17.2013
• Date Posted: 05.29.2013 04:55
• Story ID: 107679
• Location: KAISERSLAUTERN, RHEINLAND-PFALZ, DE
• Hometown: RED HOOK, NEW YORK, US