Local students provide coffee for Mutual Summit event

Grinnell Mutual, along with United Mutual Insurance company, Grinnell, and Ratcliff & Blake Insurance Professionals, with offices in Oskaloosa, Pella, Melbourne, and Sully, Iowa, teamed up to give some Lynnville-Sully students a chance to practice their catering skills and earn some money for the school.

Grinnell Mutual donated $3,000 (plus expenses) to the program. United Mutual and Ratcliff & Black each donated $250.

The 14 students, all juniors and seniors in the Advanced Foods class, provided hot and cold-brew coffee, plus a variety of teas to the nearly 200 attendees at all three days of Grinnell Mutual’s annual Mutual Summit (April 7–9), which draws farm mutual staff from throughout its writing territory. Participation in the event was part of the students’ final grade.

Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Anna Arkema said she decided to participate for the real-life experience offered by the event. “They got to interact with the public and maintain safe standards, Plus, they had a ton of fun. It was so rewarding to see them in action and displaying good communication, leadership, and culinary skills.”

The students also enjoyed the chance to work outside the classroom.  “It was an amazing learning experience that I got to enjoy with my friends,” said student Michael Spooner, “and a great networking opportunity.”

The participating students were: Brayden Bassett, Jack Bowlin, Will Conover, Conner Deal, Jordan Dunsbergen, Capri Engbers, Cody Graham, Kacey Kesling, Matthew Mintle, Hunter Neleman, Jaiden Richards, Asher Rozendaal, Michael Spooner, Evan Van Zee.

They were accompanied by Anna Arkemaer and Grace Smalley, Special Education Associate.

In the photo: 

Front row (L to R): Matthew Mintle, Jordan Dunsbergen, Jaiden Richards, Capri Engbers, Kacey Kesling.

Middle row (L to R): Anna Arkema, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, Lynnville Sully Public Schools; students Michael Spooner, Ethan Dunsbergen, Hunter Neleman, Evan Van Zee, and Asher Rozendaal; Grace Smalley, Special Education Associate, Lynnville Sully Public Schools.

Back row (L to R): Dave Wingert, Grinnell Mutual, President; Joe Brannen, Grinnell Mutual, Assistant Vice President, Agency Sales and Service; students Conner Deal, Jack Bowlin, Will Conover, Brayden Bassett, and Cody Graham; Kevin Farrell, Grinnell Mutual, Vice President of Reinsurance; Jon Sheil, United Mutual Insurance Company, CEO; Nathan Russell, Ratcliff & Blake Insurance Professionals, Vice President.