Author: Dana Caputo

Teachers - (Changed 4/29/2025 6:08:04 PM)

Culinary Students Cook at Cinco de Mayo

July 7, 2025 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie Public Schools Culinary students from Northport K-8, Fort Pierce Westwood High, and Port St. Lucie High prepared a Cinco de Mayo feast for Monarch Country Club members. Students researched the recipes and worked with the head chef to create the menu and ingredient lists. Students prepped and cooked in Monarch’s commercial kitchen, then served their dishes to members and their guests in the dining room. Thank you to Chef James Quade, Samantha Delaski-Membership Director, Chef Tiffany Tredor-Northport K-8, Chef Jeanne Gray-Fort Pierce Westwood, and Chef Kevin Sassano-Port St. Lucie High, for their guidance and dedication to this event.

Careers in Construction Week June 23 – 27

June 9, 2025 By Dana Caputo

🎓 Looking for a Job? Careers in Construction Week can introduce graduates to careers in construction and other related industries. See attached flyer to sign up for No Cost, Hands-on skills training week with a career fair on the last day.  Sign up and reserve your seat using the QR code on the attached flyer today! 🎓 Graduates Careers in Construction Week can introduce you to careers in construction and other related industries. 💡 No Cost, Hands-on skills training week with a career fair on the last day. Learn construction-related skills using a hands-on approach each day then on the last day … Read More

Culinary Students Win at the Sunshine Kitchen Cookoff

December 9, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Five outstanding high school culinary arts students competed at the Sunshine Kitchen Cookoff in Fort Pierce. Each high school student was paired with an Indian River State Culinary Institute student to form a team for the event. Each team started with sirloin beef donated by Adams Ranch, potatoes, and vegetables, and created their own recipe for the judges. Big thanks to our judges Chef Mike Febre, True Roots Catering, Chef Leslie Moyers, Indian River Estates Assisted Living Facility, Chef Jacques Larson, Crane Club at Tesoro Port St Lucie, Cathy Townsend, St Lucie County Commissioner, timekeepers Pamela McNair and Paul Lankow. … Read More

Thankful for CTE (Career and Technical Education)

December 2, 2024 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie West Centennial High School Culinary Arts students invited Northport K8 Culinary Arts 8th graders to collaborate on a Thankful for CTE (Career and Technical Education) event at Centennial High. Their plan was to work together in the Centennial High School Culinary Arts’ commercial kitchen. The instructors, Chef Chris Balachak at St. Lucie West Centennial and Chef Tiffany Tredor at Northport K8 created a plan for their culinary students to work together. Principals Mr. Rustay and Ms. Popwell supported the event which had the middle schoolers collaborating with high school mentors to create a Thanksgiving-style meal that included dishes … Read More

Culinary Arts Cooks at Derby Day

May 13, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Culinary Arts students from Northport K8, Port St. Lucie High School, and St. Lucie West Centennial High cooked up a storm at the Derby Day celebration at Monarch Country Club. Students cooked Kentucky Derby-themed recipes including Port St. Lucie High School’s Kentucky Hot Brown Wontons, Louisville Chicken Sliders, and Shrimp on Savory Grits Cake, St. Lucie West Centennial’s Chilled Tomato Shooter Gazpacho, Pork Sliders with Chow-Chow & Apricot Jam served in a Brown Butter & Caramelized Onion Biscuit, Mint Julep Almond Vanilla Cupcake With Blackberries and Bruleed Bananas, and Northport’s Chicken and Waffles bites, Deviled Eggs, Cucumber CanapĂ©s, Rosewater/Cardamom cupcakes, … Read More

Westwood FFA Parliamentary Procedure at Board Meeting

April 15, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Fort Pierce Westwood Academy students and FFA members Lilly Revels, Berkley Barnes, Elizabeth Rufo, Jayden Weil, Alyssa Coppock, and Laila Chastine presented Parliamentary Procedure at the monthly School Board Meeting. Westwood’s proud Principal Alfonso, Assistant Principal Gordon, and Agriscience Instructor Jenna Blakenbaker cheered them on as well as St. Lucie Public Schools Career and Technical Education CTE Director Aliesha Seitz.

Westwood FFA Horse Judging Competes

April 8, 2024 By Dana Caputo

The Fort Pierce Westwood Academy FFA Horse Judging team competed at the University of Florida FFA State Horse Judging contest against the best horse judging teams in the State of Florida. They had to pass the preliminary online test and be a top 15 team at the State Fair to be eligible to even compete at the State contest. Westwood’s team placed 6th in the state with 3 freshman and only one veteran judger. Wow! Team members consist of Zoey Thomaselli, Abigail Brickley, Madison Curtis and Adrianna Spotts. Congratulations!

CTE Student Entrepreneurship Showcase

April 8, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from middle and high schools across St. Lucie Public Schools participated in the CTE Student Showcase. The Showcase was all about entrepreneurship, the entrepreneurial mindset, and the resilience needed to be an entrepreneur.  The CTE classroom is a perfect place for teaching these skills since CTE teachers already cover many lessons and projects in entrepreneurship. Across the board, CTE has produced many small business owners in St. Lucie County and across the State of Florida.  Many of the Showcase participants someday want to own a business and be an entrepreneur. Thank you to our … Read More

Westwood Wins State FFA Veterinary Assisting

March 25, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Congratulations to the Fort Pierce Westwood Academy students who competed in the FFA Vet Assisting contest in Plant City! They placed FIRST in the state with Jayden Weil being the high individual of the whole contest. The team members (pictured) Briana Plaza, Samuel Rogers, Jayden Weil, and Ella Stark will be recognized during the State FFA Convention in June and then continue on to compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October! Woo-hoo! Great job, Panthers!

Culinary Students Win Awards at ProStart to Culminate CTE Month

March 11, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Culinary Arts High School students from across St. Lucie Public Schools competed at Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Education Foundation (FRLAEF) ProStart competitions in Orlando, Florida, and came out winners! Their accomplishments deserve celebration! Congratulations to: Fort Pierce Central High: Nicholas Leonardi-third for ProStart Edible Centerpiece, fruit carving, Aristhene Thelisnort-FRLAEF $2,000 college scholarship, Jerimiah Telusma-FRLAEF $2,000 college scholarship, and Aristhene Thelisnort-ProStart Hospitality Excellence recipient. Aristhene is attending IRSC for Culinary Management in the fall, Nicolas is attending Tallahassee Community College in the fall then transferring to FSU to study Technological Engineering, and Jeremiah will be attending The Culinary Institute of … Read More

Northport K8’s Culinary Students Cater PSL Citizens Summit

February 26, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Northport’s Culinary Arts program students catered the Citizen Summit the first Saturday of February which kicked off CTE Month!  They held after-school cooking sessions to prepare for the event.  Select students attended Saturday’s event with Mrs. Tredor, Mrs. Butterworth, Mrs. Sharrah, and Mrs. Bailey where they plated and served over 700 food samples to the public citizens attending the event. A big thank you also goes out to Mr. McDonald who stayed late with us to offer his expertise as well.

Culinary Arts Advisory Board Members Meet

February 19, 2024 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie Public Schools Culinary Arts Program teachers virtually met with their Advisory Board members. Teachers and business partners discussed plans for Derby Day, IRSC Open Houses, the Sunshine Kitchen Cookoff, SERV Safe, and Food Safely industry certification testing. The culinary teachers and students are busy, busy, busy this time of year planning catering events, Proms, sports concessions, senior celebrations, ProStart Competition, SkillsUSA competition, and more.

Outboard Marine Service Technology Virtual Field Trip

February 19, 2024 By Dana Caputo

St Lucie Public Schools middle school students participated in a Virtual Field Trip to St. Lucie West Centennial High’s Outboard Marine Service Technology Program. The middle schoolers were able to see hands-on activities on electrical troubleshooting, engine mechanics troubleshooting, and marine service lab activities, and ask questions. Big thanks to Mr. Bob Kachanis Outboard Marine Service Instructor, his students, the St. Lucie Public Schools Media Services team for recording, St. Lucie West K8, Southern Oaks Middle, Oak Hammock K8, Dan McCarty Middle, and Allapattah Flats K8 for a great field trip!

Centennial Marine Program Meets with Advisory Board

February 19, 2024 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie West Centennial High School’s Outboard Marine Service Program teacher met with his Advisory Board. Local marine industry members virtually met with Mr. Bob Kachanis to collaborate on classroom projects and industry needs. More meetings and activities are planned. Big thanks to Rob Abbott-Oceanwide Electronics, Justin Beard-Marine Industry Association of the Treasure Coast, Jim Dragseth-Shearwater Marine, John Helfrich-Grand Banks Yachts, and Tracy Campbell-Grand Banks Yachts.

Port St. Lucie Culinary Arts Cooks Jamaica-Me-Crazy

January 22, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Culinary Arts students in Chef Roland Foerster’s classes cook and serve tasty Jamaica-Me-Crazy lunches. Students learned Jamaican cuisine recipes and cooked up entrĂ©e choices such as Stewed Oxtail, Curry Goat, Jerk Chicken, Jerk Pulled Pork served with Pigeon Peas, Butterbeans, Rice, and Johnnycakes. Delicious!

Marine Service Gets on Board at the Boat Show

January 22, 2024 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie Public School Outboard Marine Service Program students attended the Boat Show in Stuart. Students met with employers from the local marine industry and visited boats docked at the show. Students heard about career opportunities in various areas of the marine industry as well as the increase in marine jobs in St. Lucie and Martin counties. It was a great day for the students. Big thanks to Robb Abbott at Oceanwide Electronics, Jill Marasa at Ashley Capital, and Justin Beard at Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast MIATC for planning this day for students.

Westwood FFA Sweeps Competitions

December 18, 2023 By Dana Caputo

Congratulations to West Prep FFA students who swept the local FFA contests in Okeechobee, winning every category! 1st place Creed- Laila Chastine 1st place Prepared Public Speaking- Berkley Barnes 1st place Extemporaneous Speaking- Anna Paige Cruse 1st place Safe Tractor Driving- Reed Blankenbaker 1st place Parliamentary Procedure- Lilly Revels, Berkley Barnes, Elizabeth Rufo, Laila Chastine, Jayden Weil and Alyssa Coppock Best wishes as these students move on to district competitions in late January.

Sunshine Kitchen Cook-off

October 30, 2023 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie Public School Culinary Programs competed at the Sunshine Kitchen in Fort Pierce.  Five outstanding high school culinary students along with an Indian River State Culinary Institute student formed teams and competed at the Sunshine Kitchen Cook-off. Judges included Chef Mike Febre, True Roots Catering, Guytano D’Anna, Bonefish Macs, Leslie Moyers, Sunshine Kitchen, Jacques Larson, Cathy Townsend, St. Lucie County Commissioner.  The winning team was Aristhene Thelisnort, Fort Pierce Central High and Justin Stolaj, Indian River State Culinary Institute each winning a $1,500 scholarship.  Big thanks to Gina McCants, St. Lucie County Tcerda Research Park, Chef Deb Midkiff, IRSC Culinary Institute, … Read More

Port St. Lucie High School’s Technical Design Students Meet Architects

October 23, 2023 By Dana Caputo

Students in Mr. Picchiarini’s Technical Design class met Guest Speaker, Carlos Luis Flores Blancaneaux RA, Project Manager at Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. The students were engaged in seeing designs turn into buildings. Aline Mar, Architectural Designer at Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. is an alumnus of Treasure Coast High School and spoke about courses to take, the challenges of the job, studying overseas, and loving architecture.