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Panther Catering celebrates decade of growth; teacher seeks community support to open cafe
Summary
Courtney Hawkins told the board Panther Catering and the Panther Cafe have expanded into a substantial CTE program—400 students signed up for culinary classes next year—and reported 40 catering events booked through June; she described partnerships and a scholarship‑funding plan for an eighth grader’s Washington, D.C. trip.
Courtney Hawkins, family and consumer sciences teacher at St. Croy Central High School, updated the board on Panther Catering and the Panther Cafe, marking 10 years since the program began and describing recent growth and community partnerships.
Hawkins said program enrollment has grown dramatically: "When I got the numbers from Mrs. Dino, I almost fell out of my chair. 400 kids signed up brings me to tears for our culinary program." She described the student‑run nature of the operation—students prepare, serve and clean during events—and said proceeds are reinvested into the program to buy uniforms, equipment and supplies.
Hawkins reported the program has 40 events scheduled through June and has catered large functions (the largest an estimated 1,500 attendees; other large events about 800). Panther Catering also provides regular community service catering (examples: local electric company annual meeting, Baldwin EMS quarterly meetings) and uses partnerships to teach industry skills. The program funds one full eighth‑grade Washington, D.C. scholarship each year for a student selected by the district, she said.
Hawkins outlined plans for a community‑facing café tied to market research being conducted by a dietetics professor and a college student; that research will inform menu and hours before the cafe opens widely. She also described student opportunities in baking/pastry independent study and the FCCLA chapter’s community campaigns (seat‑belt checks and a Mind on the Drive app incentive program).
Board members asked questions about pricing, staffing and event capacity; Hawkins said the program is intentionally modestly priced to prioritize student learning and community service over profit. The board accepted the presentation; there was no formal action required.
