Seniors of the Craft School Požega once again demonstrated impressive knowledge, securing first place in the Raise the Bar Youth program, organized by Coca-Cola HBC Adria for the third year in a row. These young hospitality students from Požega achieved the highest scores in quizzes, earning their school a valuable €5,000 donation and an inspiring masterclass lecture.
Aleksandra Todorović, Customer and Community Partnership Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Adria presented the award for this achievement to the acting school principal, Predrag Šarić. On that occasion, she said: “The entire school deserves congratulations for this outstanding achievement, especially since this is the second time you have taken the first place in the Raise the Bar Youth program. We believe that you have additionally enabled these young students to confidently take on new challenges after finishing secondary school. We are extremely proud to help them gain the knowledge and skills - taught by experts and top professionals - that are essential for building the careers they aspire to.”
After the handover of the donation, the students participated in a masterclass lecture, which aimed to further prepare them for the challenges in the dynamic and demanding hospitality sector. Dominik Bečvardi, co-owner of the popular Peaches&Cream bar in Zagreb and the main lecturer at the Raise the Bar Academy, shared his valuable experiences. Bečvardi shared his insights with the seniors, revealing the secrets to success in managing hospitality establishments. This inspiring educational experience was enriched by Branimir Suk, owner of SUK - Craft for laughter, learning and creativity, who shared important lessons about the role of teamwork and interpersonal skills in fostering a successful work environment.
"I am proud of our seniors and teachers, who have once again earned this valuable recognition, reaffirming that, when it comes to quality of education and engagement, our school stands among the best in Croatia. The award that our students have earned will allow us to improve working and educational conditions. I congratulate to our students and their mentors on the excellent results, and I thank Coca-Cola HBC Adria for supporting and rewarding excellence in vocational schools for three consecutive years," said acting school principal Predrag Šaric.
More than 1,500 students from 41 schools specialised in hospitality and tourism took part in the third edition of the Raise the Bar Youth program, with seniors from 26 high school competing for the prize. During April, masterclass lectures were held, and donations were also awarded to the School of Economy and Tourism Daruvar, which won second place and a €3,000 donation, and to the Tourism, Catering and Food School Bjelovar, which earned third place and €2,000.
In addition to the Youth program, Raise the Bar also includes the Academy for waiters, bartenders, and baristas, as well as Scholarships for chefs and pastry chefs. Raise the Bar program will continue in the next school year, and more information is available on the website.
