In Kewanee, a heartwarming milestone occurred at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center as two high school students, Judith Velazquez-Gutierrez and Diamond Lockhart, from Kewanee High School’s Life Skills class, completed a culinary program designed for special needs students. This remarkable initiative not only offered Judith and Diamond hands-on culinary training but also earned them certifications in food handling. This achievement opens up new doors for their future careers in the culinary industry and marks an important step in inclusive education and workplace preparation. Such programs underscore the potential and capabilities of all students, regardless of their challenges. Diamond and Judith completed various kitchen tasks, ranging from food preparation to cleaning and organizing. Some of their responsibilities included chopping fruits and vegetables, stocking supplies, and ensuring kitchen operations ran smoothly.
“It’s been a great opportunity to partner with the KHS Life Skills classroom to provide students who are interested in culinary arts with some real, hands-on experience in a kitchen, especially in health care,” said Sara Umphfleet, a registered dietitian and Nutrition Services supervisor at OSF Saint Luke. “It was wonderful to see these young people not only feel a sense of responsibility but major sense of accomplishment.”
The KHS Life Skills classroom caters to students with diverse special needs, including multiple disabilities, physical disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, and other health impairments. The focus is on functional academic skills, employment skills, daily living skills, and community participation. The classroom prepares students for life beyond graduation, up to age 22.
