Culinary students at Rialto High volunteered at Garcia Elementary

By Andrew Juarez

Calvanico's student volunteers gained valuable experience during their time at Garcia Elementary.

On February 12, 2026, Melissa Calvanico, an Advanced Food Prep culinary teacher at Rialto High School, gave her culinary students the opportunity to volunteer by catering the Valentine's dance at Garcia Elementary.  

Culinary students at Rialto High are required to do a total of two volunteerism services for the whole year as part of their grade. These are opportunities for students to build confidence and gain experience in a work environment while also having fun. 

The Valentine's Dance was a great volunteer experience because it provided hands-on experience with different age groups. Culinary students served elementary students in grades K-5. This opportunity also provided experience working with adults, as they accompanied their students to the dance. 

Daniel Heredia, a senior at Rialto High School, shared, “I honestly enjoyed the volunteering. I enjoy going out with my classmates and peers to assist at school activities. It's an opportunity to learn and collaborate with new people. I overall enjoyed the experience.” 

Andrea Sisnero, a senior at Rialto High School, had mentioned, “My experience was an 8.5 out of 10. Everyone volunteering was nice, and we were all able to hang out with each other and eat food together.” 

Calvanico explained, “Volunteering is great because it brings you joy and fulfillment when helping others, and I think it depends on what voluntarism you’re doing. If you’re doing one to practice and improve your skills, then that helps you feel confident. But if you’re helping people in need, that helps you develop empathy towards others and thankfulness for all you have.”   

The culinary students were set to begin their voluntarism at 4 pm and end at 7 pm. During these hours, the students each had specific tasks to fulfill. Some of these tasks included consistently serving food and beverages throughout the three-hour event. Culinary students were also expected to take what they learned from class and apply it to the real world to properly clean and sanitize after the event. The meals these students served included spaghetti and meatballs, Caesar salad, garlic bread, and desserts. 

Overall, this event provided a great experience for Rialto High’s culinary students. It allowed them to showcase their culinary skills and also gain experience. This is important for a high scholar, especially because it prepares students for life after graduation. Oftentimes, volunteer opportunities provided by the school are the first experiences high school students get to apply their skills in the real world. Opportunities like this are beneficial because high schoolers can use the experiences gained on their resumes, which will likely help them in the future.