SoDel Concepts named March Community Champion
The Sussex Consortium and Cape Henlopen School District named SoDel Concepts their March Community Champion at the March 27 Cape school board meeting.
SoDel has given students the opportunity to assist staff at three local restaurants: Bluecoast, Matt’s Fish Camp and Crust & Craft. Through this work, they learn to complete a variety of tasks such as folding linens; wiping down menus, tables, booths and high chairs; stocking ice; prepping food; assembling pizza boxes; and operating the dishwasher.
School officials noted that the staff at all three locations go above and beyond to make Consortium students feel welcomed and part of the SoDel family. Each student is greeted with a warm hello at the beginning of their shift, and staff are always willing to answer questions.
The kindness of the SoDel staff shows through their actions, such as buying a winter coat for a student at Christmas, officials said.
The restaurant group also has a charitable branch called SoDel Cares.
“Our staff and students are incredibly grateful to work alongside such caring individuals who truly value the contributions that our students make to the community,” said one Consortium staff member.
Ellen McIntyre is a reporter covering education and all things Dewey Beach. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Penn State - Schreyer Honors College in May 2024, then completed an internship writing for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In 2023, she covered the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand as a freelancer for the Associated Press and saw her work published by outlets including The Washington Post and Fox Sports. Her variety of reporting experience covers crime and courts, investigations, politics and the arts. As a Hockessin, Delaware native, Ellen is happy to be back in her home state, though she enjoys traveling and learning about new cultures. She also loves live music, reading, hiking and spending time in nature.
