Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School Culinary Instructor Chef Scott Tessier (far right) stands with his students Lenore Nelhuebel, Jeyson Ponce, Emily Vieira, Lauren McDevitt, Seraiah Mondesir and Aryciela Conway, who earned multiple top awards at the 2025 SkillsUSA MRE Challenge in Natick. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)
SOUTH EASTON — The SkillsUSA chapter from Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School followed a recipe for success during the 2025 MRE Challenge.
Southeastern students earned three gold medals during the culinary competition hosted on Tuesday, Oct. 21, by the Massachusetts Army National Guard, as well as the prestigious title of Grand Champion as a result of Team 17’s “Sweet Heavens Pie” dessert dish.
SkillsUSA student chefs from 19 schools competed in the 2025 MRE Challenge at the Army National Guard Barracks in Natick, drawing culinary students from across the Commonwealth to face off in a creative challenge to elevate the standard military Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) into a flavorful, visually appealing dish.
The event was organized as part of SkillsUSA Massachusetts, a statewide career and technical student organization that helps students hone their trade and leadership skills through competitive events.
Teams had 90 minutes to turn standard MREs into championship-worthy creations. Through creativity, flavor, and presentation, these student chefs demonstrated how skill and innovation can elevate even the most unconventional ingredients.
Under the leadership of Culinary Instructor Chef Scott Tessier, Southeastern students swept the competition, earning five of the nine total medals awarded at this event. Southeastern captured three gold medals, one silver, and one bronze.
Team 17 — including Southeastern’s Lenore Nelhuebel, Jeyson Ponce, and Emily Vieira — won:
- Grand Champion (Gold)
- Best Presentation (Gold)
- Best Military Taste (Gold)
Team 18 — including Southeastern’s Lauren McDevitt, Seraiah Mondesir, and Aryciela Conway — won:
- Grand Champion (Bronze)
- Best Military Taste (Silver)
“This was such a proud moment for our students and our entire Southeastern community,” said Chef Tessier. “They showed incredible teamwork, creativity, and professionalism under pressure to produce an amazing MRE. Watching them adapt and innovate with such limited ingredients really highlighted all the skills they’ve picked up at Southeastern and their passion for the culinary arts.”
Superintendent Holly McClanan and Principal Shawn Desmond both commended the students for their remarkable performance and for representing Southeastern with pride and excellence.
“These students continue to showcase what vocational education is all about, including applied learning, collaboration and hands-on excellence,” said Principal Desmond. “Their success at this event is a testament to the dedication of our instructors and the hard work of our students.”
“We’re so proud of our SkillsUSA competitors for taking their classroom learning and demonstrating it on a statewide stage as part of the MRE Challenge,” said Superintendent McClanan. “The achievement of our SkillsUSA culinary students reflects not just their individual talent and their teamwork at this event but also the strength of Southeastern’s career and technical programs. We look forward to seeing what they cook up next.”
About SkillsUSA Massachusetts:
SkillsUSA Massachusetts is a state affiliate of the national SkillsUSA organization, which prepares students for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations. Through competitions, leadership training, and community involvement, SkillsUSA helps students develop valuable skills for success in both college and the workforce.
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Culinary students from Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School’s SkillsUSA chapter celebrated their success at the 2025 SkillsUSA MRE Challenge alongside Instructor Chef Scott Tessier (far right) after earning five of the nine total medals awarded at the statewide competition. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)
Southeastern’s culinary students from the school’s SkillsUSA group engaged in a creative challenge to elevate the standard military Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) into a flavorful, visually appealing dish. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)
Team 17 from Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School, including Lenore Nelhuebel, Jeyson Ponce, and Emily Vieira won Grand Champion (Gold), Best Presentation (Gold) and Best Military Taste (Gold) at the 2025 MRE Challenge hosted by the Massachusetts Army National Guard. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)
Team 18 from Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School, including Lauren McDevitt, Seraiah Mondesir, and Aryciela Conway, won Grand Champion (Bronze) and Best Military Taste (Silver) at the 2025 MRE Challenge hosted by the Massachusetts Army National Guard. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)
Southeastern’s culinary students from the school’s SkillsUSA group engaged in a creative challenge to elevate the standard military Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) into a flavorful, visually appealing dish. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)
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