JACKSON-MILTON Seniors cook up way to get out of exam

The contest grew from a suggestion by students last year, the teacher said.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NORTH JACKSON -- A healthy combination of instruction, improvisation and cooperation came together to make winners out of Kelly Smith, Kris Mills, Amanda King, Corey Velk and Marta Karabova.
After tasting samples of more than a dozen dishes, four judges decided to award first place to the five Jackson-Milton High School seniors for their pineapple chicken, fruit salad, egg knot rolls, strawberry French cake and strawberry smoothie that they spent nearly an hour preparing.
"We wanted a Hawaiian theme," Smith said.
The seniors were among 14 students who took part in Thursday's Iron Chef Senior Cook-Off 2003 at the school. The Austintown Giant Eagle sponsored the project and contributed many of the ingredients.
The students were divided into four groups, with each given 50 minutes to prepare an eye-catching and delicious meal using chicken, strawberries and pasta as their main staples.
A teacher, student, administrator and secretary served as judges, and each project was judged on group cooperation, taste and originality.
Hands-on final
Five juniors assisted by ringing a gong to announce the start of the competition, as well as when time was running out.
One junior was dressed in costume and served as the "Iron Chef," patterned after a program of the same name on the Food Channel. They also provided music from the soundtrack to the movie "Backdraft" that played during the meal preparations.
"Everything they learned is incorporated into this, like planning, food handling, presentation and garnishing," said the seniors' teacher Ginger Mangie. "It's like a hands-on final."
Mangie, who's taught home economics at the school for 23 years, said last year's students approached her with the idea, and interest and staff support soon grew.
As a result, the cook-off took off, and those participating in it got to have their standard final examination waived, she said.
All five girls in the winning group said they plan to attend college in the fall and added that they appreciate the experience for more than the winning recipes it allowed them to produce.
"It helps you learn how to live on your own once you leave for school," King said.
"It's helped me learn to work well in a group," Mills added. "I've learned to work with others and let them take charge."
Karabova, an exchange student from Slovakia and class president of her high school there, said her other school doesn't offer cooking classes. She added that she's grateful to "learn life skills."
Velk, a pitcher on the school's softball team, said she plans to enroll in Walsh College's nursing program in the fall and live on campus.
The girls received $5 gift certificates from Pizza Hut and Iggle Video. The other students got a pizza cutter for their efforts.