Competition heats up for culinary arts team

For the third consecutive year, the culinary arts team at Carson High School won the state competition in Las Vegas.

However, they are not content.

"They want to win the national championship," said their teacher Penny Reynolds. "They're really dedicated. They want it. More than that, they need it."

Winners at the national ProStart competition April 22-26 in San Diego receive full-ride scholarships to the culinary college of their choice.

All four team members " Brandon Gray, Tracy Morris, Brittany Shirey and Jonathan Kane " plan to attend the Johnson and Wales Culinary Institute, which has campuses in Rhode Island, Florida, North Carolina and Colorado.

"The scholarship is for $33,000 a year," said Morris, 17. "It would take a lot of stress off us."

Despite the cost, it's a sacrifice the students want to make.

"It's something I've always wanted to do," said Kane, 17. "I've been in the kitchen ever since I was little."

Last year's team, made up mostly of the same students, took fourth in the national competition.

"We're pretty confident this year," Kane said. "We've been working really hard."

Reynolds said this team has the best potential of winning out of all the previous years because each member is equally dedicated.

"They've bonded as a team," she said. "They're like brothers and sisters " and they fight like brothers and sisters " but they really work very well together."

As the only junior and new member to the team, Gray, 16, is feeling the heat.

"It's more pressure because I don't have all the experience they have," he said. "And if we win nationals this year, I'll have to be the one to carry us on next year."

The students are planning fundraisers, including two cooking classes, to raise money for the trip. There will also be endless practices.

"It's the most important thing we have on our minds for the next two months," Morris said.

- Contact reporter Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1272.