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Meet Kirstina, a dedicated and driven student from Leamington District Secondary School who has embraced the Hospitality and Tourism Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program to explore her passion for the culinary arts. Inspired by a Grade 9 hospitality class, she discovered a love for cooking and continued to build her skills throughout high school, ultimately joining the SHSM program to deepen her knowledge and gain hands-on experience.
Through her co-op placement with the STEPS program, Kirstina has not only refined her culinary techniques but has also developed essential skills in leadership, patience, and teamwork while assisting students in the kitchen. From hosting Café Fridays to earning industry-recognized certifications, she has gained invaluable insights into the world of hospitality and tourism.
We sat down with Kirstina to learn more about her journey, the lessons she’s learned, and how the SHSM program has shaped her future aspirations. Read on for her inspiring story!
1. What inspired you to choose the Hospitality and Tourism SHSM program, and what excites you most about the culinary field?
What inspired me to choose the Hospitality and Tourism SHSM program was my grade 9 hospitality class. going into to high school I had a hard time figuring out what I wanted to go to school for after graduating high school. I really enjoyed the class and so and I continued taking that class all through my high school years. An opportunity came up for me to join the program and I took it!
2. Can you share some of the culinary projects or activities you worked on during your co-op placement in the STEPS classes?
Some culinary projects/activities that I have been part of during my time at my co-op placement in STEPS is every Wednesday and Thursday we would bake/cook something with the students to help them with their culinary skills. Another activity I was able to be a part of was our Cafe Fridays, we would send out an email of all the drinks that we offer to all the teachers in the school and than we would prepare as well as deliver the drinks.
3. What was the most valuable lesson or skill you learned while assisting students with their projects and activities?
One of the most valuable lessons I learned while assisting students with their projects or activities was to have patience. when working with students who have special needs you learn that each student is different and unique and they learn in different ways too, so after getting to know them and bonding with them my patience grew and I was able to communicate with them to help them learn a new skill or maybe help them grow in an area that might need improvement.
4. How have the events and certifications offered through the SHSM program prepared you for a future in hospitality and tourism?
Some ways the certifications and events through the SHSM program has prepared me for my future in hospitality and tourism is it has informed me on how to run a business, handle food safely and how to make my business stand out from other businesses to attract customers. my certifications have helped me with finding a job. I work at a pizza place so I need to know how to have good customer service and how to handle food safely and that's where my certifications come in.
5. What are your future plans in the hospitality and tourism industry, and how has the SHSM program helped shape those goals?
My plans for my future have changed as I have gotten older but I can still use all I have learned from this program and use it in my daily life.
6. Is there a specific event, workshop, or certification from the SHSM program that you found particularly impactful or memorable?
There is one certification I really enjoyed doing and that certification being food photography. I learned how to take photos of food from different angles, how to make certain colors or backgrounds work together and how to take a photo for a business to attract costumers. it was definitely a good experience and it have encouraged me to keep trying out new ideas and learning new skills because you'll never know if you like something or not if you don't try first.
7. What advice would you give to other students considering the Hospitality and Tourism SHSM program, especially those interested in culinary arts?
Some advice I would give is if your considering the Hospitality and Tourism SHSM program ask a teacher who is part of the program and do some research the more informed you are the better. But I would say if you wan to go into the culinary field definitely join the program, its going to offer you so much and help prepare you for when you graduate high school. you gain certifications that are not only going to help you in collage but they are also going to help you at your job or if your just simply looking for a job. Another thing to consider is your going to have so many fun trips and create memories that you wont forget.
8. What challenges have you faced during your SHSM journey, and how have you grown from those experiences?
One challenge that challenged me during my SHSM journey is deciding on if I wanted to go the culinary route, I had felt that it was something that I really wanted to do back in grade 11 when I first joined the program but than I got the opportunity too have a co-op placement in STEPS and that's when it confused me. After talking to my SHSM teacher about it they said that I can still be in the program because it will benefit me in the future. An area that I have seen myself grow from that experience is that I don't need to be afraid to tell someone if I'm confused or not understanding something, sometimes you need someone else to guide you because its hard when you try to figure things out on your own.
9. Who has been your biggest support throughout your SHSM journey, and is there anyone you’d like to thank for their encouragement or guidance?
My biggest supporters through out my SHSM journey have been my family and my teachers. my family because they helped me when I was deciding on if I wanted to join the program or not they have also been a great encouragement. I want to thank my teacher Mr. Youssef because when I needed clarification on something he was always there to help me and encourage me which made my experience that much better.
10. If you could describe your SHSM journey in three words, what would they be and why?
If I could describe my SHSM journey in three words it would have to be unforgettable, rewarding and inspiring. Unforgettable because it really is unforgettable, you get the opportunity to learn so much and meet new people with similar interests as you. Another thing is all your hard work with getting certifications and going on fieldtrip\workshops rewards you with knowledge and a new perspective on the culinary arts. It inspires you to not give up but realize that your journey has just begun and that there is so much for you to still learn.
Don’t miss out on more inspiring SHSM journeys! Check out last month’s Student Spotlight to learn about another student’s unique path and accomplishments through the SHSM program.
Stay tuned for next month’s feature as we continue to highlight the incredible stories of students shaping their futures across the GECDSB!
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