http://www.courant.com/community/simsbury/hc-simsbury-high-schoolers-start-crepe-business-20150708-story.html
SIMSBURY — It initially started as a joke: Two 15 year olds running a successful, professional crepe business.On est dans On Oo
But last August, Simsbury High School sophomores Laure Guibert and Grace Neagoy took the plunge. They bought two crepe-makers, a handful of ingredients, and spread the word to neighbors, friends and even their dentists that Les Crêpes Françaises was open for business.
"People expect something less professional from us just because we are teenagers," Guibert said of the girls' catering business.
But Neagoy said that once customers try their crepes, they're impressed with their quality.
The girls have made sweet and savory crepes for graduation parties, baby showers, wedding showers, Christmas parties and birthday parties, among others. Neagoy said they charge a flat rate of $200, which covers expenses, time and 30 crepes. Each additional crepe is $3 per crepe, she said.
Cooking has been the connection that has strengthened the girls' friendship, Guibert said. Three years ago, Guibert said she moved to West Simsbury from Niort, France, and could not speak a word of English.
Guibert said she met Neagoy at the high school and though Neagoy doesn't speak much French, they were able to connect over their love of making crepes.
"It was hard at first, just because I was in an American school not speaking any English," Guibert said. "When I met Grace, it was such a relief to have a friend I could actually talk to."
In preparation for their catering gigs, Neagoy said the girls watched online videos to learn the best techniques for spreading crepes. But she said her favorite part of the business is prepping the food the night before a party.
"It will be some crazy time at night and we will be cooking until 1 a.m.," she said. "We will be dancing, talking and cooking."
Neither girl said they want to cook as a career. Guibert said she dreams of being an English teacher in France, and Neagoy said she wants to travel. But for now, the girls said they enjoy cooking for others.
"As we get to be upperclassmen, our lives may get too busy to keep it up," Neagoy said. "As for now, we are really passionate about it and want to keep it going as long as we possibly can."
Guibert and Neagoy may be reached at laureandgrace@gmail.com.
Copyright © 2015, Hartford Courant
And... Clemence and Alexis !
Simsbury Elementary School Raises $12K To Build School In Ecuador
Simsbury elementary school students raised $12,000 to build an entire school in Ecuador
SIMSBURY — When sixth-grader Ian Costello learned that Tootin' Hills Elementary School had raised $12,000 to build a school in Ecuador, he said he "went bonkers."
The money was raised through the school's Take Action Club, which was founded two years ago in conjunction with the international charity Free the Children, club co-leader and parent Debi Ackels said. The $10,000 school will be built this summer in Los Rios, Ecuador, she said.
The 50 students in the club then voted on what to do with the remaining $2,000. Ackels said $1,000 will go to training 10 teachers, $500 will go toward furniture and school supplies and $500 will allow two Ecuadorean families to purchase a goat and chickens to sustain their families.
Ackels said the students raised money through personal fundraising campaigns.
"Our students realized how fortunate they are to live in this school community where we have many resources and parental support and everything to make them successful in school," Tootin' Hills Principal Kevin Cazzetta said. "These children didn't. They had no opportunity."
Ian said the club chose to build the school in Ecuador because if they wanted to visit, it wasn't too far away. He said the students were also sensitive to the struggles children in Ecuador face.
"A lot of kids, especially the indigenous people in Ecuador, don't have a chance to go to school and are put into labor," he said.
Sixth-grader Keeley Flaherty said she was shocked when she learned how much money was raised. She said she joined the Take Action Club because she realized how fortunate she was, and wanted to make others fortunate, too.
"I never thought we would raise enough money to build a school," Keeley said. "I'm really excited for the kids that are going to be able to go there because they will be able to get an education and make a difference in the world."
Copyright © 2015, Hartford Courant
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