Gorham High School (GHS)’s Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) program will be conducting the school’s first ever Chili-Chowder Cook-Off during the month of February.
The JMG program helps GHS students gain high school credits while gaining real life experience and work hours. Its mission is to partner with public education and private businesses to offer results-driven solutions to ensure all Maine students graduate, attain post-secondary credentials, and pursue meaningful careers.
Trevor Stout, a student currently enrolled in the program, said that the program’s career association goals include leadership development, career development, social awareness, civic awareness, and community service.
The Cook-Off event will be held in the GHS cafeteria on Sunday, February 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is open to everyone and tasting tickets will be sold for $5/ person, however entering an item for the event is free.
The tasting ticket includes admission, sampling, voting, and one ticket for a kidney bean guessing game. Raffle tickets will also be sold and drawings will be held for different packages. A JMG gift basket consisting of local business gifts and gift cards will be awarded to the most popular chili or chowder.
Funds raised from this event will be used to create a “Dressed for Success” clothing closet for JMG students so that those who either don’t have access to formal apparel, or cannot afford it, can dress for success during their interviews and other formal events.
Proceeds will also be used toward transportation costs to Thomas College for students to compete against other schools in JMG’s Career Development Conference (CDC) in events that include essential skills like teamwork, interviewing, communication, resume building and applications, and public speaking.
If interested in entering a chili or chowder, e-mail trevor.stout@gorhamschools.org or ryan.chicoine@gorhamschools.org.