When the House of Tacos food truck pulled up at Summit Academy Secondary School in Akron last Thursday, it wasn’t a typical stop for the restaurant on wheels. It was a sentimental visit for owner Chanell Cook whose son, Kristopher Barnhart, graduated from the school in 2020 and found his footing there, she says.
Chanell and her mother, Nevis Cook, came to the school to host a special event at which students cashed in earned credits for Caribbean jerk chicken tacos, cheese nachos and other cultural fare. School IEP Coordinator Sarah Pavis planned the event as part of Summit Academy’s PBIS, or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, program through which students earn credits for their cooperation, positive behavior and for going above and beyond expectations.
“PBIS is an instrumental part of the daily routine for our school,” says Principal Ralph Grant. “Students look forward to cashing in their earned rewards to purchase items at the school store every Wednesday and enjoy special activities, such as the House of Tacos food truck event.”
Chanell’s son, Kristopher, a 2020 Summit Academy graduate, worked with his family on the food truck since it opened that same year. “Kristopher was very supportive with the business,” Chanell says. “He didn’t mind washing dishes, grilling meat or whatever was needed.”
While working with his mother, Kristopher also worked at Amazon and attended CNC machinist school before deciding upon a military career. He will complete his boot camp training for the United States Navy in about a week. Chanell says she is anxiously awaiting the call from her son when he introduces himself as a Navy sailor.
“He has the attitude where he doesn’t give up and he doesn’t fall to peer pressure,” says Nevis, explaining how Summit Academy school staff nurtured those qualities during her grandson’s school years.
“He had the freedom to be himself without being looked at differently or judged. They showed him so much love and encouragement, which boosted his confidence to make the amazing life decisions as an adult today,” adds Chanell.
Chanell says she looks forward to making a future food truck visit to the school with her son, as an example of what a promising future looks like. “He is already thanking me for visiting Summit Academy,” she says.
Until then, Chanell will continue to make rounds across Northeast Ohio with her extended menu, which includes Nigerian, Korean, Mediterranean, Peruvian and vegetarian takes on tacos.
“We’re serving Greater Akron with something new and different – a variety of affordable cultural dishes using high-quality ingredients. A quality experience on limited funds is always attainable at the House of Tacos,” she says.