Commitment to ProStart: Emlyn Thomas, Illinois' 2004 ProStart Mentor of the Year, truly goes above and beyond for ProStart students. He has hired students, hosted the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's (IRAEF) mentoring workshop, offered his restaurants for field trips and job shadowing, has been a guest speaker in the classroom and now serves as a Trustee on the IRAEF Board of Directors.

Emlyn has been a mentor for the program for three years, is currently mentoring a Year 2 ProStart student, and two former ProStart students who are currently attending college in a restaurant/foodservice program. His answer to any request from a student or the Foundation is always "Yes!"

Commitment to ProStart: Greg has supported the ProStart program as a mentor for the past six years. In addition to mentoring ProStart students, Greg has participated in fundraisers that raised over $30,000 each soley for the ProStart program. He played a hand in helping the winning Louisiana culinary team prepare for their state competition. Greg has many former ProStart students currently working for him in his restaurants. Greg is also a voice of ProStart as he urges other members to support the program.

Described by the Lousiana State Restaurant Association, "Greg has done everything in his power to make the ProStart program a success in Louisiana!"

Commitment to ProStart: Ken has been mentoring ProStart students since it's inception in 1997. He has provided the support and encouragement that has made a true difference in the self-worth of students who have been employed by him at Culver's.

Ken has also provided classroom support to ProStart teachers, helping them to teach interviewing and work ethic skills, assisting with mentoring for Wisconsin's ProStart Hospitality Management Competitions as well as providing monetary support through his business and the Eastern Shore Chapter of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

As described by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, Ken is "patient, genuine, honest and hardworking... and always keeps school the top priority for the all students."

Commitment to ProStart: Mark has been mentoring ProStart students for the past four years. Mark began supporting the program by hiring students to work with him in the kitchen, as he was a chef in a local restaurant. After moving 7 hours away, Mark continues his support by coaching the California culinary team to prepare them for competition. He helped coach them through modern technology - via the internet and digital camera. Mark even made the 7-hour drive three weekends in a row to help them prepare.

Outside of competition, Mark helped ProStart students bring to life a scholarship dinner to raise money to help current students continue their education in college. He has also been a great influence in Foster Farms support.

Commitment to ProStart: For the past two years, Dave has provided guidance, motivation, support and friendship to everyone participating in the ProStart program in Oregon. His commitment to ProStart has meant time away from his family as well as time away from the start-up of his own catering business.

Dave has been a great contributor to preparing Oregon's culinary team for the state and national competitions. He willingly drives 48 miles to and from his home, sometimes 3-4 days a week, to work with the students of Yoncalla High School, sharing his knowledge and skills and asks nothing in return…except that the kids work their hardest.