Middle School Culinary Students Deliver Meals to Air National Guard

A group of seventh-grade culinary students in Brook Herritt’s classes at Jefferson Middle School recently delivered homemade lunches to the Air National Guard 106th Rescue Wing in Westhampton Beach. Prior to their visit, the students were hard at work in the kitchen, showcasing the skills they had developed in class to prepare a delicious meal to show their gratitude for the veterans' service. The menu included chicken enchiladas, yellow rice, and chili.

After they arrived, the students were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the Aerospace Propulsion shop, where they learned how the engines of C-130 planes and helicopters were maintained. "It was interesting to see all the different planes and helicopters," said student Liam H. "My favorite was the brand-new helicopter that we got to sit in and learn about."

The students also had the chance to witness a C-130 take off and a Pave Hawk helicopter land, experiencing up close, the raw power of these machines. They got to watch a parachute drill, a moment that left a lasting impression on the group. "Seeing supplies being dropped via parachute was so cool," shared Christian P.

What excited the students most was when they learned they were the very first middle school class ever to tour the shop. “Many of them shared their excitement about the possibility of flying those planes one day,” said Ms. Herritt.

In addition to the lunch and tour, the JMS Student Service Organization sent heartfelt letters of appreciation to the veterans, further showing their gratitude for their service and sacrifice. It was a day filled with learning, respect, and lasting memories for the students.