Innovation In Action

Each month, we celebrate the stories of Innovation Accelerator teachers and students making a difference across Indiana and beyond.

Quick Hits:

Culinary students cater three-course meal for AIM Mayor's Roundtable, from menu planning to tableside brûlée
Two students advanced a public art initiative by independently pitching a mural and sculpture project to local community organizations.
Students preparing for a pitch competition strengthened their business ideas and presentation skills through one-on-one mentorship with AgriNovus innovation leader Geoff Zentz.

When Students Set the Table for Leaders

Chelsea Kleeman: Tell City Jr-Sr High School

Photos courtesy of photographer Shiraz Mukarram

In December, Chelsea Kleeman's culinary students catered a professional three-course dinner for the AIM Mayor's Roundtable, networking with mayors and legislative figures, while running every aspect of the event from start to finish.

The opportunity came through Tell City Mayor Chris Cail, who approached Kleeman about having students cater the roundtable. But instead of simply handing them a menu, he sat down with the class.

"Working with Chelsea and the culinary students was an absolute pleasure. From our first brainstorming session, it was clear how thoughtful, prepared, and engaged the students were, not just in creating a menu, but in understanding clientele, logistics, and execution," Mayor Cail said. "They weren't simply cooking; they were running a professional operation from start to finish."

Together, students and the mayor developed a menu rooted in local pride and Tell City's culinary identity:

Main Course

Bacon-wrapped chicken breast with local honey glaze
Balsamic roasted rainbow carrots
Sautéed squash medley
Roasted parmesan potato
Soft and savory milk rolls

Starters

Apple crisp (William Tell apple)
Pecan brown sugar cookies
Caesar salad with garlic Tell City Pretzels

Dessert

Sugar cream pie with tableside brûlée (yes, students used real torches!)

But creating the menu was just the beginning. Students developed recipes, determined costs and profit margins, created invoices, and built a detailed event timeline. They documented everything: what would be plated, when it would be plated, how it should be presented, and who was responsible for each element.

"Working in a kitchen teaches those soft skills that employers dream of," Kleeman explained. "Communication, time management, delegation, and commitment are necessary to pull something like this off. Even if our students have no plans to attend culinary school, they still graduate with these amazing employability skills they learned through hospitality."

On event day, students executed their plan with precision. Typically, catering requires staying invisible, working quietly behind the scenes. But this event was different. Guests were intrigued by the student-run operation, watching as culinary students performed tableside brûlée demonstrations, asking questions about the program, and posing for a group photo before students returned to school.

"Watching them confidently interact with mayors, legislators, and community leaders while delivering an exceptional experience was something I'm incredibly proud of," Mayor Cail said. "They represented their school and our city at the highest level."

For Kleeman, catering events brings out something special in her students. "There's a big difference between cooking at home for yourself and cooking for others with the goal of wowing them," she said. "Catering for others really brings out the best in our students. You don't get a second chance. You can't run to the store to buy more if you run out. It requires 100% participation and execution. It pushes them to do their very best. It teaches them that joy can be found in the service of others; that simply making people happy can be a business."

The AIM Mayor's Roundtable was a masterclass in professionalism, planning, and the power of community partnerships. And for Tell City's culinary students, it proved they're ready to deliver excellence under pressure!

Building Futures Through Ownership

Linda Schaffer: New Tech Institute

Linda Schaffer's Entrepreneurial Academy operates on a simple but powerful principle: every senior either launches their own business or secures an internship aligned with their career goals. Either way, they leave with real-world experience that prepares them for what comes next.

The primary goal is business launch, but when students aren't ready to fully execute their ventures, Schaffer pivots to help them secure meaningful internship placements. Students are given a clear deadline to identify and secure opportunities independently, building initiative and professional responsibility.

But some students take ownership to another level entirely. One group working to expand public art in Evansville through murals and sculptures decided they needed community partners to make their vision real. So they reached out themselves.

The students independently contacted Keep Evansville Beautiful and the Evansville Promise Zone, scheduling meetings to discuss implementation, logistics, and community impact. They presented their vision, asked strategic questions, and explored how their ideas could realistically be brought to life.

Their professionalism impressed the President of Keep Evansville Beautiful so much that she referred them to additional community leaders. It was networking at its best, and it happened because students took the initiative.

"Students became highly motivated and invested once they realized they were fully responsible for moving their ideas forward," Schaffer said. "This ownership sparked excitement, confidence, and pride as they see their passion projects gaining real traction within the community."

The confidence students build through this process extends far beyond their senior year. "They leave with confidence, knowing they can advocate for themselves, pursue their ideas, and take initiative as they transition into college, careers, or entrepreneurship after graduation." Schaffer explained.

At New Tech Institute, students walk across the graduation stage knowing they've already done the hard work of building something real.

Mentorship That Builds Confidence

Jennifer Glaser: Silver Creek High School

Two of Jennifer Glaser’s students preparing for an upcoming pitch competition got exactly what they needed: honest feedback, thoughtful suggestions, and a mentor willing to meet with them again. Thanks to volunteer mentor Geoff Zentz, Senior Director of Innovation at AgriNovus, Addison and Eli are approaching their presentations with new clarity and growing confidence.

Addison is launching *A Rene Designs*, a home décor service, while Eli is building *Eli's Upcycling Project,* transforming worn or torn clothing donations into usable items.

During their Google Meet with Geoff, both students received guidance on their slide content and business plans. But what stood out to Glaser, wasn't just the advice itself, but rather how the students responded.
"I was happy to see the notes being taken by the students, the willingness to accept the advice of the mentor, the plans the students are making to update their slides, and the confidence they are gaining along the way," Glaser said. *"They are also excited to meet with Geoff again to show him their changes!"*

Geoff's approach made all the difference. Rather than being critical, he offered suggestions that students took to heart. Both Addison and Eli are now revising their presentations, applying what they learned and preparing to show Geoff their progress in upcoming weeks.

This is the power of bringing outside expertise into the classroom. Students listen to their teachers every day, but when a professional with real-world experience validates their ideas and offers guidance, something shifts. Students see their work through a new lens and recognize that what they're building matters beyond the walls of their school.

For students preparing to pitch their ideas, access to mentors like Geoff provides more than tactical advice. It helps them understand how professionals think, how businesses operate, and what it takes to communicate ideas effectively to adults. Most importantly, it shows students that experienced leaders are willing to invest time in their success.

As Glaser put it, it was "a tremendous learning experience for all."

Southern Indiana: January 2026