“How many of you know how to cook? Actually cook? Well, we are going to find out today,” National Guard Sgt. Luis Molina said to students in Holly Borthwick’s family and consumer science class recently.

The Press was invited to watch and be a tasting judge of Salisbury High School’s “Chopped Challenge” with members of the National Guard.

Divided into six different groups with their own captain, students had to make three items: an appetizer, an entrée and a dessert. They did have special instructions to follow, including using a special ingredient found in a bag at their station, including at least one MRE, Meals Ready to Eat, in each recipe.

Borthwick ensured a full pantry of spices, fresh fruits, vegetables and meat.

Molina made it clear to the students, “Don’t take it personal. We are here to have fun. We actually cook. So, we are going to question your techniques. We are going to help you. It’s not personal so if you want to, you can add a secret personal ingredient, tears of joy and mix it well.”

Students were also reminded clean up was part of the process.

As soon as the cooking started, with each meal prep timed, Molina, Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Guzzo and Sgt. Andres Sanchez were helping and motivating the students to do their best and have fun. At times, you could see one of them joining in the fun and cooking with the students. Many commented to The Press they felt like they were in a cooking show.

For Caroline Gedney, “It’s a lot of fun but a little bit stressful. I like that they are coming into the kitchens and helping you. And if you are struggling with something, they will open the packages with MREs and tell you how they make things (when) they use them.”

Having a cooking class with the guard was an amazing experience for students like Jack Monahan.

“It was a good learning experience and it was a fun new thing we’ve never done, at least since I’ve been here. And I just feel like everyone had a lot of fun. Everybody in the class got a good experience.”

The Press asked Monahan what it was like to have members of the guard at school and in their class. He answered, “Being with the National Guard, being coached by these guys, in their act, is actually pretty cool. It feels like we are actually in the moment, rushing through it. There’s pressure on us but we are having fun as well.”

According to Sanchez, “We try and get into the schools and show the schools what the National Guard is. This is one way of us being able to connect with the students. They don’t know what MREs are and we try to make it a nice environment where it’s challenging. A lot of the students, at first I think, they’re a little bit more timid to it but as you saw, their enthusiasm (grows). Everybody gets excited by it. They are all excited for it and want to know who won and things like that. That’s what it’s about. It’s about them getting out of their comfort zone.”

The program “Chopped Challenge” has been around for five years in the area. It is only one of many programs the guard uses for community outreach with youth.

Jadaelise Figueroa absolutely enjoyed the experience of cooking with members of the guard. She said, “Honestly, seeing them because I want to join the Army. So, it does inspire me.”

If you are interested in joining the guard, Sanchez has this advice, “As long as you are 17 years old and a junior, you can start in the National Guard. That’s basically two years off your contract while you are still in high school. A lot of people comment that they think that we are in the same branch as Army, Army Reserves but National Guard is something different. Our priorities are here in the states.”

“So, if you are trying to go to college, you want to have the most benefits of a military branch, we offer the best benefits because we are state funded, federally funded. We get both money from the state government and the federal government. So, you are able to go to school. We cover 100% of tuition to any state university here in Pennsylvania.”