For the first time, Hays CISD’s culinary arts program was invited to participate in the 30th anniversary Food for Thought tasting event held on Oct. 29. The event, organized by Communities in Schools of Central Texas, brought together students, educators, and community partners to celebrate three decades of student‑focused support.
Students take the lead in a large‑scale catering effort
Leandra Walls, the culinary arts program lead at Hays High School, coordinated a team of about 27 students to prepare the menu. “The event has asked us to prepare enough food for 600 people, and that is the largest event that we’ve ever been asked to cater for,” Walls said. “If I didn’t have such a big team of capable students helping, then there’s just no way we could pull it off.” Six additional students will accompany Walls to oversee service and logistics.
Menu highlights local flavor
The Hays High School team crafted a crawfish roll on garlic toast, paired with a side of potato salad. The dish mirrors the flavors of a traditional crawfish boil while remaining portable for a tasting setting. The menu reflects the program’s emphasis on practical, market‑ready skills that students can carry into future careers.
CTE program continues to change lives
Rick Bough, director of the career and technical education (CTE) department, praised the program’s broader impact. “I think that her program changes lives,” Bough said. “In some cases, [it ends] generational poverty because of the skills that students are able to learn in the classroom.” With 251 students currently enrolled in the culinary arts track at Hays High School, the program is one of the district’s largest CTE offerings.
Community partnership strengthens student opportunities
Communities in Schools of Central Texas collaborates with several districts—including HCISD, San Marcos CISD, and Austin ISD—to identify needs and provide resources that support student success. By inviting Hays CISD students to Food for Thought, the organization highlighted the value of hands‑on learning and community involvement.
Looking ahead
Walls and her students hope the experience will inspire more participation in future Food for Thought events and expand opportunities for Hays CISD’s CTE programs. The success of this inaugural involvement demonstrates how local schools, nonprofit partners, and families can work together to equip young people with marketable skills while reinforcing the importance of strong, faith‑centered families and community values.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
