Emma Robinson, a Colonel Richardson High School rising senior, recently signed Caroline’s third Youth Apprenticeship contract with Bri Farrell-Rutkowski and John Rutkowski, owners of Craft Bakery & Café in Denton.
Emma recently completed the Food and Beverage Management program with Chef Larry Ogden through the Caroline Career and Technology Center (CCTC). Caroline County Economic Development (CCED) Director Debbie Bowden and Business Development Coordinator Kendall Teague connected CCPS with Craft Bakery and Café to discuss of a Youth Apprenticeship Agreement.
To finalize the apprenticeship agreement, a signing ceremony was held at Craft Bakery and Café in Denton. Emma, parents David and Nancy Robinson, business owners Bri and John Farrell-Rutkowski, Superintendent Derek L. Simmons, CCTC Principal Courtney Handte, CCTC Apprenticeship Coordinator Eric Cook, and Debbie Bowden and Kendall Teague from CCED were in attendance to sign documents.
“Youth apprenticeships are a great way for high school students to gain real-world experience and explore career paths while earning a paycheck,” CCTC Principal Courtney Handte said. “It is vital that we expose young people to the workforce, and we appreciate Craft Bakery and Cafe stepping up to provide this opportunity to Emma.”
Craft Bakery and Café, located on Third Street in Denton, is a seasonally focused bakery & cafe with fresh, in-house roasted coffee. The business was opened in early 2022.
More information about the Youth Apprenticeship Program may be found on the Caroline Career & Technology Center website. Local businesses interested in partnering with Youth Apprenticeship or students interested in the program should contact Eric Cook, cook.eric@ccpsstaff.org
All event photos may be viewed on the Caroline Flickr page.