CULPEPER, VA, On Thursday evening, May 8, 2025, A.G. Richardson Elementary School’s Becoming A Man (BAM) students were invited to a special banquet-style dinner hosted at the Culpeper Technical Education Center (CTEC) by The Blaze Kitchen and Chef Jay Cohen. The collaborative event was a unique and enriching experience for both the young BAM participants and the CTEC Culinary Arts students.
The BAM program is an optional, after-hours initiative available to 4th and 5th grade boys at A.G. Richardson. Known affectionately as “BAM Club,” the program provides students with meaningful life lessons centered around leadership, responsibility, and character development. Since its initial launch during the 2019–2020 school year—an effort interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic—the program was reintroduced in 2023 and has since grown in both scope and impact.
The BAM Club has continued to expand its curriculum. Participants engage in lessons and activities that emphasize community service, sportsmanship, respect for others, emotional regulation, anti-bullying strategies, dress and classroom etiquette, table manners, and personal hygiene. The students also acquire practical skills such as tying a tie, shaking hands properly, and the importance of giving back to their community.
The BAM program at A.G. Richardson is proudly sponsored by staff members Matt Ortman, Jason Berger, and Patrick Hallett, whose guidance and mentorship have helped shape the program into a lasting and positive influence in the lives of its participants.
At the same time, CTEC’s Culinary Arts students prepared for and executed the banquet, gaining first hand experience in event planning, food preparation, and professional service. Students showcased their mastery in hosting a formal dining experience, including maître d’ service and the creation of a full-course meal, appetizer, entrée, and dessert.
This marks the second year that the BAM Club has had the honor of partnering with The Blaze Kitchen for this event. The banquet serves as a culminating opportunity for both BAM participants and CTEC students to put their learning into practice in a real-world setting, celebrating growth, collaboration, and achievement.
