High‑school students pitch Culinary and Cultural Club to Cohoes school board

A group of students and their advisers presented a proposal for a joint Culinary & Cultural Club to the Cohoes City School District Board of Education on Dec. 10, saying the student‑driven club would pair cultural exploration with hands‑on cooking lessons and fundraising events.

"This club idea and proposal is almost completely student driven," Spanish teacher Alicia Oates told the board, introducing students who described plans for recipe books, fundraisers and use of the middle‑school kitchen. Student presenter Maria Eospindy said the idea grew from a school cultural fair and aims "to bring more cultural awareness to the school district" and to develop communication and networking between middle and high school students.

Presenters outlined a twice‑monthly schedule—one night for prep, one for cooking—using four kitchen stations at the middle school so students would not remain at school late. They asked the district for basic supplies (ingredients, hair covers and aprons) and noted donations already received for utensils and small appliances. The students also proposed creating custom aprons and offering grab‑and‑go dinner boxes for families.

Board members praised the student leadership and advised the group to report back on initial meetings. The board indicated flexibility to help with donations; one trustee volunteered to assist with sourcing aprons. Presenters said they plan to hold an initial meeting in early January and noted more than 30 high‑school students had expressed interest.

The club proposal did not require a formal board vote at the Dec. 10 meeting; the organizers were invited to proceed with planning and return with updates and any requests for district support.