Colton, CA—A giant pair of scissors, many important faces, and cookies. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on April 22, 2025 where people gathered in celebration of Colton High’s new Culinary Arts building.
The event included a performance by marching band, cheer, and a pledge of allegiance led by ASB President Aubrey Gonzalez and NJROTC.
The grand opening of the new building is the culminating moment for one of Colton High’s pathways: CHAMPS. Principal John Abbott said, “We started our CHAMPS pathway a decade ago, and to see that we have a facility that can support the work, growth, everything that our students are going to be getting into after graduation from Colton High School.” He is very excited about the new facility. “I’m just extremely thrilled for our kids that they’re going to get this opportunity, and be able to go into the workforce and apply their skills immediately.”
The new state-of-the-art culinary center is 4,700 square feet and includes a dining hall for 150 that also doubles as a lecture room, a professional grade kitchen with top shelf equipment, and a demonstration classroom built for showcasing essential culinary skills. An outside patio is still under construction, but will provide students opportunities to learn outdoor culinary skills and hospitality as well.
Facilities Director for Colton Joint Unified School District, Owen Chang, has been working with his colleagues from the start of the project, bringing in a $6 million grant the state matched in support of the building.
Chang said, “Starting from the beginning, applying for grants and then selecting architects and working with architects to come up with the design for the building, they really carried out this vision that the board had, which is really providing a career opportunity for our kids.”
The opportunities presented by this new facility have Colton students excited. In her speech at the ceremony, junior Nayleah Ruvalcaba said, “This will definitely help me and my peers to advance our skills during and after high school. Going from the basic small kitchen like we have now to a huge industrial kitchen is going to allow students to explore our cooking skills to the fullest potential.”
Then special presentations were held by Colton’s Mayor Frank Navarro along with a representative from Joe Baca Jr. and a representative from Senator Eloise Gomez Reyes.
The Senior District Representative for Senator Reyes, Prince Ogidikpe said, “In general, I think it helps increase Colton High School’s academics. I wish I had something like this in high school when I was growing up and whatnot, I didn’t, but it’ll be cool to come back and see what the students produce from this.”
