Universal City Mayor Visits Wagner High School Culinary Arts Program, Spotlighting Career Pathways for Judson ISD Students
Universal City families and Judson ISD residents often ask how local schools are preparing students for real careers — not just college applications. At Wagner High School, that answer was on full display this week as students in the Culinary Arts program welcomed a guest who understands the food service industry from the inside out.
Universal City Mayor Tom Maxwell visited the Wagner High School commercial kitchen on February 26, 2026, spending time with students as they prepared their monthly staff meal — a hands-on project that requires them to design a full restaurant experience from start to finish. For parents, taxpayers, and community members across Universal City and the greater Judson ISD area, the visit highlighted how Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are equipping students with practical skills, industry certifications, and real-world confidence before graduation.
Inside the Wagner High School Culinary Arts Program
As Mayor Maxwell toured the bustling kitchen, students were busy prepping ingredients and executing a carefully planned menu. The monthly staff meal is more than a cooking assignment — it is a comprehensive business simulation. Students handle menu design, budgeting, purchasing, food preparation, and final execution, mirroring the operations of a professional restaurant.
The professionalism on display made an impression.
“I wish I had this kind of experience when I was in school,” Maxwell told the class, acknowledging that the hands-on training gives Wagner students a head start many never receive.
Programs like the Wagner High School Culinary Arts pathway are part of Judson ISD’s broader Career and Technical Education offerings, which focus on workforce readiness, industry certifications, and career exploration. For students who may enter the workforce immediately after graduation — or pursue culinary school, hospitality degrees, or business management — this early exposure matters.
A Career Built in Food Service and Leadership
Mayor Maxwell brings a unique perspective to the classroom. His 24-year military career included leadership roles such as superintendent of Officer and NCO club operations, training instructor, member of the Air Training Command Inspector General team, and Marketing Director for the Army Air Force Exchange Service. After retiring from military service, he completed an additional 27 years in civil service as the Food and Beverage Manager at the Education and Training Command and the Air Force Services Agency.
Drawing from those decades of experience, Maxwell spoke candidly about the scope of opportunity available in the culinary and hospitality industries.
“Because of what you are learning here, there are thousands of jobs available to you,” he said, encouraging students to think beyond traditional restaurant roles and consider global possibilities.
He emphasized that culinary education can open doors to careers in hospitality management, food science, military food service, restaurant ownership, corporate dining operations, and large-scale event management.
For a community like Universal City — home to many military families and service professionals — those pathways resonate.
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Why Career and Technical Education Matters in Judson ISD
Across Texas, school districts are expanding Career and Technical Education programs to meet workforce demands and provide alternative pathways to success. Programs like Wagner High School Culinary Arts give students an opportunity to graduate with more than a diploma.
Wagner’s program ensures students leave high school with practical kitchen and management skills along with an Industry Certification that strengthens their resumes and provides a competitive advantage in hiring and career advancement.
For local families, that means students can pursue employment immediately after graduation or continue into higher education with both experience and credentials already in hand.
In a region experiencing steady growth, workforce-ready graduates contribute directly to local economic stability, small business development, and long-term community prosperity.
Building Confidence Beyond the Kitchen
Beyond knife skills and menu planning, visits like Mayor Maxwell’s reinforce something equally important: belief.
By sharing his own professional journey — from military leadership to food and beverage management — Maxwell offered students a tangible example of how far culinary experience can take them.
His message was clear: dream big and do not limit your goals.
For the Wagner High School Culinary Arts students, the visit was a reminder that their classroom is more than a kitchen — it is a launchpad.
As Judson ISD continues investing in hands-on Career and Technical Education programs, moments like this highlight how local partnerships and community leadership can shape student success.
Residents who want to stay informed about Judson ISD programs and community initiatives can continue following My Neighborhood News for ongoing coverage.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
