Munch Madness Takes Over Agoura High School

An early-morning rain and chilly temperatures didn't dampen the enthusiasm of participants in second annual Munch Madness. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, mobile food trucks served up fare ranging from the exotic Nom Nom to the all-American Doghouse.

The event raised money for the International Baccalaureate Program, which costs the school about $10,000 annually, said Andrew Staiano, an Agoura High teacher who helped implement the two-year global-based program three years ago. The IB program is open to juniors and seniors; however, freshman and sophmores have an opportunity to take pre-IB programs, said Staiano.

Staiano brought the program to Agoura to "bridge the gap" for those students not being served by Advanced Placement classes and college prep courses, he said.

You don't need a high GPA to sign up for the program, said Staiano. "Grades are not a reflection of what a kid knows or what he or she is capable of," he said.

Because the program does not receive enough annual funding, a few Agoura parents came up with the idea last year of a food truck fundraiser. The 2010 event brought in $15,000, said Staiano.

"This is really what education and this community is all about," said Agoura High Principal Larry Misel. "This is a tight-knit community, and this is such a great way to raise money—you get to eat and contribute all at the same time," he said.

Parent Matthew Braden, whose son Jacob, 13, is taking some pre-IB courses, said he was having a hard time deciding from which truck to buy food. "Right now, I'm enjoying some coffee," he said. "I'll need to look around before I make a final decision."