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SOUTH DAKOTA RETAILERS ASSOCIATION NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release: July 24, 2023 Contact: Caleb Nugteren, 605.224.5050 | cnugteren@sdra.org Harrisburg High School’s Deb Rombough Recognized Nationally PIERRE, SD – the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) has named Deb Rombough of Harrisburg High School as the 2023 National ProStart Educator of Excellence (EEA) in Industry Connections for outstanding achievement in connecting students with hospitality industry leaders. EEA winners were recognized last week in Dallas, Texas, in Classroom Expertise, Best Practice/Knowledge Sharing, and Industry Connection categories, each receiving a $3,500 award. ProStart, a nationwide high school career technical education program developed by the NRAEF, prepares high school students with career-ready culinary and restaurant management skills. By combining hands-on learning in the classroom with mentored work experience, the ProStart curriculum trains nearly 165,000 students nationwide at almost 1,850 high schools, including 21 in South Dakota. Expressing her appreciation for the award, Deb Rombough emphasized the importance of maintaining relationships with industry professionals, saying “I just feel very fortunate to get to work with professionals within the hospitality and tourism industry and learners who are passionate and dedicated. It’s been an amazing ride so far!” Rombough, who teaches Family and Consumer Sciences courses, embodies ProStart’s mission of combining real-world experience and industry partnership, with her students operating a successful store in the classroom. In partnership with Coffea, a local coffee shop, they offer an assortment of coffee drinks, snacks, and more. “Industry connections are a top focus of the ProStart program and Deb excels in creating learning opportunities with industry leaders for her students.” said South Dakota ProStart Coordinator Seanna Regynski. “Outstanding educators like Deb Rombaugh help bring the ProStart curriculum to life for their students,” said Rob Gifford, president of the NRAEF. “Her creativity in infusing the classroom with leaders from the restaurant industry is an inspiration to all of us.” -30- _______________________________________________________________________________ The South Dakota Retailers Association (SDRA) is one of the nation’s oldest and largest trade organizations, operating as the South Dakota Restaurant, Grocers, and Hospitality associations and representing over 4,000 businesses. Learn more about SDRA’s support for South Dakota’s business community online at sdra.org or find us on Facebook. About ProStart ProStart, a nationwide, two-year high school career and technical education program uniting the classroom and restaurant industry, reaches nearly 165,000 students at almost 1,850 high schools throughout all states, the District of Columbia and Guam. ProStart gives students a platform to discover and develop new interests and talents, while teaching employability skills like teamwork, professional behavior, time management and communication. Learn more at ChooseRestaurants.org/ProStart.
SOUTH DAKOTA RETAILERS ASSOCIATION NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release: July 24, 2023
Contact: Caleb Nugteren, 605.224.5050 | cnugteren@sdra.org
Harrisburg High School’s Deb Rombough Recognized Nationally
PIERRE, SD – the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) has named Deb Rombough of Harrisburg High School as the 2023 National ProStart Educator of Excellence (EEA) in Industry Connections for outstanding achievement in connecting students with hospitality industry leaders. EEA winners were recognized last week in Dallas, Texas, in Classroom Expertise, Best Practice/Knowledge Sharing, and Industry Connection categories, each receiving a $3,500 award.
ProStart, a nationwide high school career technical education program developed by the NRAEF, prepares high school students with career-ready culinary and restaurant management skills. By combining hands-on learning in the classroom with mentored work experience, the ProStart curriculum trains nearly 165,000 students nationwide at almost 1,850 high schools, including 21 in South Dakota.
Expressing her appreciation for the award, Deb Rombough emphasized the importance of maintaining relationships with industry professionals, saying “I just feel very fortunate to get to work with professionals within the hospitality and tourism industry and learners who are passionate and dedicated. It’s been an amazing ride so far!”
Rombough, who teaches Family and Consumer Sciences courses, embodies ProStart’s mission of combining real-world experience and industry partnership, with her students operating a successful store in the classroom. In partnership with Coffea, a local coffee shop, they offer an assortment of coffee drinks, snacks, and more.
“Industry connections are a top focus of the ProStart program and Deb excels in creating learning opportunities with industry leaders for her students.” said South Dakota ProStart Coordinator Seanna Regynski.
“Outstanding educators like Deb Rombaugh help bring the ProStart curriculum to life for their students,” said Rob Gifford, president of the NRAEF. “Her creativity in infusing the classroom with leaders from the restaurant industry is an inspiration to all of us.”
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The South Dakota Retailers Association (SDRA) is one of the nation’s oldest and largest trade organizations, operating as the South Dakota Restaurant, Grocers, and Hospitality associations and representing over 4,000 businesses. Learn more about SDRA’s support for South Dakota’s business community online at sdra.org or find us on Facebook.
About ProStart ProStart, a nationwide, two-year high school career and technical education program uniting the classroom and restaurant industry, reaches nearly 165,000 students at almost 1,850 high schools throughout all states, the District of Columbia and Guam. ProStart gives students a platform to discover and develop new interests and talents, while teaching employability skills like teamwork, professional behavior, time management and communication. Learn more at ChooseRestaurants.org/ProStart.