Running head: Star Event: Culinary Arts 1

Star Event: Culinary Arts

Tamara Wilson

Brigham Young University-Idaho

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Abstract

In this paper I will discuss the Star Event that I have chosen and the video that I watched

that support why this even can encourage teenage students to be great leaders. I will also talk

about why it is important to start shaping our youth now to help them on their journeys to

becoming responsible adults. I will also discuss how, as the adult advisor, I can promote quality

participation in this area.

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As I began browsing through topics for Star Events, I first asked myself, What is a Star

Event? “STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition) are competitive events in

which members are recognized for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual

projects, leadership skills, and career preparation. STAR Events offer individual skill

development and application of learning through the following activities:” I came across the

category of Culinary Arts and decided to watch videos of Senior students presenting their

projects on different ways they based a project around a form of culinary art.

I found one star event video particularly helpful. Two young ladies, Arantxa and Lauren,

who had decided to create, test, market and sell a gluten free baked item to the public. Their goal

was to provide students with a healthier snack option that was also economically reasonable for a

students budget. When they began their presentation, they explained, “This project had provided

them with opportunities for personal development and preparation for adult life. This project has

taught us a better understanding of marketing in the business world” (Hernandez & Starkson,

2013). They began by devising a plan of action. They would first create three recipes. Second,

they would test them on potential customers and record their finding. This determined which

recipe they would chose as the finalist and they also learned from the tests how they needed to

tweak the recipe to make it tastier. They spoke with adults in advertising to help them better

understand how to purchase their materials and how to market their product. They felt that this

step helped “provide greater understanding between youth and adults. This project gave us

opportunities to work with adults in our own community.” (Hernandez & Starkson, 2013). These

two ladies really went the extra mile to include those they felt would help them progress and

succeed in completing their project. They thoughtfully listened to others opinions and that is one
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of the first steps in transitioning from an adolescent that focuses more on self to an emerging

adult that broadens their world to caring about others.

I think this event will encourage teenage students to become great leaders because it

allowed them the opportunity to be responsible for themselves and for their partner who was

depending on their to pull their own weight. Arantxa said that she thought this “This project gave

us opportunities to make our own decisions and take responsibilities such as organization and

food safety.” (Hernandez & Starkson, 2013). When people are self sufficient and learn the art of

team work there is little that cannot be accomplished. Lauren said that they chose this project

because it “…promoted Family Consumer Sciences in related occupations. In todays society,

people need to know basic things like budgeting, cooking and sanitation.” (Hernandez &

Starkson, 2013). These two young women were able to demonstrate how they took and idea and

completed their project with a finished product that was good quality and could be available for

the well being of others. I think that learning how to start something and take it all the way to the

finish is a real trait of someone who could prove to be a very valuable leader for others to put

their trust in.

After personal reflection, I think that the best way I can serve teenagers in helping them

to become responsible adults is through my daily example, by being a good listener, and always

being that person that they can rely on. I have taken many paths in my life that have encouraged

leadership such as my job, being a college student, being a wife (haha) but the two most valuable

ways I have been able to lead was by leading with the spirit when raising my children and when

holding callings at church especially callings that blessed me with being able to serve with the

youth. I am deeply appreciative for the opportunities that my Heavenly Father has given me to be

a leader. Sometimes when we lead, that is when we are taught the most by others.
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References

Hernandez, Arantxa & Starkson, Lauren. September 11, 2013. FCCLA Star Events

Demonstration Food Innovations Senior (Kasson Mantorville).

https://youtu.be/TNCBoCGwL5Y