BROWNSTOWN
Abby Stuckwisch will soon graduate from Brownstown Central High School, but a project she received approval for will make a long-lasting impact on agriculture students and FFA members.
She recently wrote a letter to the Brownstown Central Community School Corp. board of school trustees in hopes of receiving support for converting an office in Blake Hackman’s classroom into a kitchenette.
Last fall, Stuckwisch said she and fellow Brownstown Central FFA members recognized the need for a small kitchenette in the ag room since students in that organization and in ag classes participate in activities that require the use of kitchen equipment. Hackman had been bringing in supplies from his home for students to use.
“We find that this puts excessive and unnecessary stress on both Mr. Hackman and us students as we scramble to get supplies together to complete our activities,” Stuckwisch wrote.
Her request was heard by the board as Hackman read her letter during the May 11 meeting since she had a softball game that night.
Later after Hackman’s presentation, the board unanimously approved the project.
While it’s estimated to cost between $4,000 and $4,500, Stuckwisch has been in contact with several ag-based organizations that are ready to provide financial support upon board approval.
“The entire project would be funded through these donations and would not require any (financial) support from the school system,” she said.
Stuckwisch was happy to hear the board approved her proposal.
“I would say starting off, it is just an amazing addition to our agriculture classes,” she said. “Many of our students come into the program looking for a class where they can gain real everyday skills. One of our classes, food science, relies a lot on the use of kitchen equipment, and it has been very difficult to complete these labs with limited resources.”
She said BCHS students will be able to do so much more in the coming years.
“While I may not be personally benefiting, I was so excited to see this plan put into action,” Stuckwisch said. “I am planning to be an agriculture education major, so knowing that any students are receiving a better education is thrilling to me. Every student deserves a quality education, and helping to make this kitchen a reality has allowed me to serve in that capacity.”
The kitchenette will include a stove, an oven, a microwave, a refrigerator, a small deep freezer, storage cabinets and small appliances. It will be in a corner of Hackman’s classroom where an unused small office is.
“I’ve never seen anybody use that area the whole time I’ve been here,” Principal Joe Sheffer told the board.
Board President Scott Shade said it’s good that the space will be utilized more efficiently.
“I would say it would be used quite a bit,” Sheffer said. “They do quite a bit of little cooking in there.”
Stuckwisch had the corporation’s director of maintenance, Randy Ude, examine that area of the classroom, and Ude said it wouldn’t pose a problem to remove the existing wall and extend plumbing and electricity to the kitchenette.
“It sounds like she has already done her homework, so that’s really good,” Shade said of Stuckwisch.
Hackman said the next step will be to contact the donors to let them know the project was approved, and Ude will get the project on his summer agenda.