Irmo, SC - Students from Irmo High School International School for the Arts and Dutch Fork High School shared their enterprises at the Transition Alliance of South Carolina (TASC) annual conference.
Irmo High School, with the leadership of teacher Joyce Moran and job coach Beth Stone shared the amazing baked goods of the Sting Deli. Working at the school’s Sting Deli, students have the opportunity to prepare salads, baked potatoes, sandwiches, cookies and more three Fridays out of each month. The food is available to purchase by the Irmo High staff and the opportunity helps the students build invaluable life skills that help them both in the classroom and in the real world.
“My students were very excited to have the opportunity to showcase our school-based enterprise,” Moran said. “They liked talking to a variety of people and seeing how impressed people were about the Sting Deli baked goods.
Dutch Fork High School, with the leadership of their job coach assistant, Renee Roppolo and job coach Karan Bundrick shared how they make their dog biscuits called Foxy Treats. The students are in charge of the whole process including, mixing all the ingredients, rolling out the dough, cutting the biscuits and putting them in the ovens. While the biscuits are baking, the students wash dishes and clean up. The students are also in charge of bagging and putting labels on the biscuits to get them ready to sell. Dutch Fork High School student Bryce Thomas was given the opportunity to represent his school at the conference.
“I was nervous to talk about the dog biscuits by myself, but I got more comfortable talking and answering questions as the day went on,” Thomas said. “I enjoyed looking at the other student products and seeing their demonstrations.”
Along with selling their products to participants of the conference, students from Irmo High School and Dutch Fork High School presented in a break out session about their work. Finally, they were recognized with other enterprises as being the state employers of the year.
“I was so proud of the students, teachers and job coaches that participated in the TASC conference,” said Dr. Angie Slatton, School District Five Director of Special Services. “This was an opportunity to highlight all of their hard work in preparing all of our students for success after high school. The students had the chance to interact with educators and other students, showcase their enterprises, and be celebrated at the awards ceremony and lunch. They did an amazing job representing School District Five!”
