LaVille students pitch in and practice catering skills at Plymouth Bowen Health opening

This week, students from LaVille High School in Lakeville played a key role in the success of opening events for Bowen Health’s new facility at 2904 Miller Dr., in Plymouth. 

“When the caterer asked me about having students from the LaVille High School Culinary Arts Program help at the event, I said it was a great idea,” said Bowen Health – Plymouth Director Lindie Leary. “We’re always thrilled to work with different groups in our community, especially young people.” 

Program teacher Jyll McNeil said that while the class has catered numerous events within the school district, working with Bowen Health and caterer Gather 2 Graze gave her class a new opportunity for learning.

“This sort of real-world experience is more important than anything,” said McNeil. “When students enroll in a vocational course of any sort it is 100% necessary for them to be provided with hands-on learning in order for them to see if this is a career pathway they want to consider." 

Before the event, her class, with guidance from the caterer, spent a day cutting, dicing, and slicing to prepare food for the event. Six class members came to set up the tables before the event in the Bowen Health – Plymouth lobby.

When doors opened, guests were greeted by elaborate and beautiful arrangements of charcuterie—cured meats, fruits, vegetables, cheeses—as well as tables overflowing with cookies, cakes, candies, and other elegant or decadent desserts.

Their attention to detail dazzled hungry attendees, who happily dug into the delicious creations. Three class members worked as servers during the event, drawing additional compliments from attendees.

“The students were very poised and professional and took their jobs seriously,” said Dr. Rob Ryan, president and CEO at Bowen Health. “And the food was beautiful. We were hesitant to dig in and ruin the delicious work of art, but we did. We salute the caterer Gather 2 Graze for providing such great experiences for the LaVille students. Whenever we can support people and businesses in the community, we jump at the chance, and this was truly special.”

Bowen Health - Plymouth is located at 2904 Miller Dr., Plymouth, 46563, immediately southwest of the intersection of Pioneer Drive and US 30. The highly visible location provides expanded primary health care, mental health care, addiction recovery treatment, and life skills coaching services. The building also includes unfinished space which will house a specialty like dentistry or optometry in the near future.