When he was a freshman, now-sophomore Jacob Essick was looking for a club to join. His interest? Cooking.
“I like cooking and I am passionate about it,” Essick remembered. “And since there was [no club like that,] and I didn’t join any club my freshman year… this year I thought, well, why not try to make one? Because it could benefit everyone that goes here.”
His new club, the Cooking Club, gives students an after-school opportunity to develop culinary skills, work collaboratively, and participate in fundraising and community events. The club meets once a week at OH and is open to all students, regardless of enrollment in culinary classes.
The Cooking Club was created to provide students with a structured environment to explore cooking while contributing to school events. Activities include baking, preparing treats for fundraisers, and participating in hands-on sessions that allow students to learn new skills.
Essick also emphasized the club’s inclusive atmosphere as a plus. “Students can expect a good environment, I mean, there are a lot of friendly people there, everyone is there to just learn more and get better at cooking, so you wouldn’t feel left out or anything like that, and just everyone to have a say at everything that we do.”
Gwendolyn Yen, an OH senior and secretary of the Cooking Club, said she joined to gain experience and enjoy a friendly, social environment.
“I’m most interested in the food—I really just want to cook,” Yen said. “I’m hoping for more experience with cooking and people, and I’m expecting a friendly, lighthearted atmosphere.”
OH culinary instructor and club sponsor Paul Grazzini said the club is designed to include every student interested in cooking.
“We wanted to include all OH students, not just those in culinary classes, so everyone can participate and support the school community,” Grazzini said. He added that students will also get hands-on experience planning and running events that support the club’s goals.
Assistant Activity Director Nicholas Dunn said approval involved careful planning to ensure safety and student engagement.
“There’s a lot of interest, and Mr. Grazzini is someone we trust to supervise students safely while using ovens, knives, and other equipment,” Dunn said. “It was very exciting to get this approved and see students so motivated.”
The Cooking Club currently has 18 members, with room for up to 24 students. Students interested in joining can stop by Room 189 or email Grazzini for more information. Social media accounts are also planned to keep students updated on meetings and upcoming events.
Yen said the club also provides practical benefits for students. “The club will give students a chance to share food if they don’t want to buy school lunch,” she said.
“I’m most excited for baking because I enjoy it the most. I’d recommend the club to anyone who wants to cook and have fun with friends.”
As the semester continues, OH students in the Cooking Club are already mixing creativity with teamwork, building community, and exploring their passion for cooking.
Leaders say student input will continue to shape the club’s activities and direction throughout the year.
Hi, I'm Poppy -- a high school student at OHS. Who is very passionate about biomedical science and aviation, who also enjoys creative projects and exploring new ideas. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
