NHS Culinary Students Give Back with Annual Senior Citizen Spring Drive-Thru Luncheon

McKenzie Feliciano ’29

NHS culinary arts student Julian Ocasio delivers a meal to community senior citizens during today’s meal. NHS culinary arts students prepared every aspect of Tuesday’s senior citizen meal, ranging from creating recipes to add the finishing touches on meal design.

Abby Denley ’29, McKenzie Feliciano ’29, and Mia Mendez ’29 • May 5, 2026

WOODBURY – For NHS culinary arts instructor John Dominello, there’s nothing better than seeing his students showcase their skills for their community. Every fall and spring Dominello’s get that experience with NHS’ senior citizen meal, a meal prepared for Nonnewaug culinary arts students.

“It really feels great to give back to the senior citizens of the region,” John Dominello, the culinary teacher at NHS said, “this is also such a great opportunity for students to really understand what community service is all about.”

Beyond just preparing the meals, NHS students, Trevor Timko, Luke Primini, Ryan Schieffer, were able to hand-deliver Tuesday’s meals to community members. This longstanding tradition of giving back to the community stems back over a decade, an experience that validates the work of Dominello’s culinary students. (McKenzie Feliciano )

From cultivating initial recipes, to collecting vital ingredients, Nonnewaug’s advanced culinary arts students hone their skills in this culminating experience. NHS students savor the ingredients of what makes the annual Senior Citizen Spring Luncheon such a special part of their spring curriculum.

“It’s just nice to see those smiles on their faces when we do this type of stuff,” said Darren Sulivan, an NHS sophomore culinary student. “We can tell it makes them really happy.”

This year’s event NHS culinary arts gave 165 meals to community members to pick up this year. The meals included a baked cheese lasagna, an apple, blueberry pie, a Mediterranean marinated grain and bean salad.

While there’s an unquestionable degree of satisfaction NHS students feel when delivering these year’s meals, the joy of this experience goes both ways.

“This event is very special to us,” said Tess Assard. “I think this is such a successful program down here.”

Assard is just one of many who appreciates this event.

NHS senior culinary student McKenna Hardisty assists with meal delivery for Tuesday’s event.

“I love what [the NHS culinary arts] are doing,” said community member Sunny Gilbert. “I think it’s very nice that you guys do it for us.”

For Dominello and his students, the Senior Citizen Drive-Tru is a tradition that the NHS culinary arts program is eager to continue.

“This is my 17th year doing this event,” said Dominello, “and I hope we do this every year in the future.”

About the Contributors

Abby Denley ’29, Reporter

Abby Denley is a freshman at Nonnewaug High School and she is from Woodbury. This is her first year writing for the NHS Cheif Advocate. She likes spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys writing, sports and music.

McKenzie Feliciano ’29, Reporter

McKenzie Feliciano is a freshman at Nonnewaug High School. She is from Bethlehem, and this is her first year writing for NHS Chief Advocate.She enjoys writing,music, and spending time with her friends and family.

Mia Mendez ’29, Reporter

Mia Mendez is a freshman at Nonnewaug High School, and she is a first year journalist at Nonnewaug Chief Advocate. Mia is from Woodbury and enjoys participating in the NHS sports program. She plays field hockey and softball. Mia enjoys writing about the community, sports, and school events.