Louisiana ProStart Educator wins national award

Angie Drago honored by NRA Educational Foundation in Chicago

Louisiana ProStart Educator Angie Drago
receives the NRA Education Foundation
James H. Maynard Excellence in Education
Award in Chicago.

In Chicago during the National Restaurant Association Hotel, Motel Show earlier this month, ProStart educators from across the country gathered for the annual Excellence Awards Luncheon. Among them was Angie Drago, the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation's Educator of the Year and ProStart educator at Fontainebleau High School in Mandeville. She was nominated for the national award as a result of her state honor.

ProStart is a nationwide, two-year high school program that unites the classroom and industry to develop the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice leaders. In Louisiana, ProStart is offered in nearly 50 high schools with more than 1,300 students enrolled.

Each year since 2003, two ProStart educators receive the James H. Maynard Excellence in Education Award in commemoration of Golden Corral's 30^th anniversary and as a tribute to James H. Maynard, Golden Corral chairman and founder.  To Drago's shock and awe, her name was called as the 2012 receipient of the national award.

Drago and Lisa Christhilf of Western School Technology and Environmental Science in Maryland were selected from the group of 35 other Educators of the Year in their respective states. 

“It was such an honor to receive the award in Chicago, especially in the presence of so many amazing teachers,” said Drago. “Winning affords me the opportunity to really spread the word about ProStart—at a time of the year when our students are beginning the next chapters of their lives, equipped with skills, certifications, college credits, and scholarships. It's an amazing program, and the scope of its impact on our students is huge!” 

Presented by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and Golden Corral, the award is a $5,000 cash prize from Golden Corral that is given annually to two ProStart educators that excel both in and out of the classroom. Drago was awarded the LRAEF ProStart Educator of the Year in February, which put her in the running for this prestigious national award.

“We are so proud of Angie’s recognition,” said LRAEF Chair John Eastman. “Her dedication to her students and her commitment to the ProStart program at Fontainebleau is exemplary.”

The mission of the LRAEF, a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization, is to promote the industry as a career choice to our current and future workforce, offer scholarships and professional development. If you would like to make a donation, please contact LRAEF Executive Director Alice Glenn, aglenn@lra.org or (504) 454-2277, ext. 565.