Riverside Teacher Receives ‘Inspirational Leader’ Award for Commitment to Educating Students

Foodservice and Hospitality Instructor Inspires Students, Colleagues and Community

Sacramento, Calif. – On August 18, Howard Merrick will be awarded the coveted Inspirational Leader Award by the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (CRAEF) at the 2007 Student Showcase. The ceremony will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on the first day of the California Restaurant Association (CRA) Western Foodservice & Hospitality Exposition, which runs August 18-20.
“Howard Merrick exemplifies what the ProStart® program is all about,” said Stella Premo, CRAEF Executive Director. “His dedication is proven through his passion and countless hours spent with students. We applaud Howard for his unwavering commitment to the ProStart program.”

Merrick oversees the ProStart program at Sherman Indian High School in Riverside, California.

Since starting in the Vocational Arts department, Merrick has single-handedly sought to revamp the Culinary Arts program at Sherman by restoring the school’s home economic kitchens, bringing in new equipment and developing an A-G approved curriculum that collaborates with the ProStart curriculum.

The ‘Inspirational Leader’ Award is given to a high school instructor who is currently teaching the ProStart® program. This instructor must be a motivating guide to students, staff, and administrators, and must have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in educating the next generation of hospitality professionals. Merrick will receive a $1,000 credit from CRAEF for his program.