Special to the Herald

Sweet Talkers aims to help children with language and speech impairments learn to speak through baking.

The proposal is the top prize-winning idea of Cranston High School West junior Zachary Jean-Philippe, who was among the two top finalists for the Transform RI Scholarship. The Papitto Opportunity Connection will now invest $150,000 into his idea.

The Papitto Opportunity Connection has invested more than $3.4 million in Rhode Island students’ ideas through the organization’s Transform RI Scholarship. This marks the program’s third year.

Jean-Philippe is one of 400 students who applied for the Transform RI Scholarship. The Papitto Opportunity Connection will work with Jean-Philippe as they launch a six-week pilot program.

When applying for the scholarship, the prompt asked: “If you had a million dollars to improve the lives of those who need it most in Rhode Island, how would you do it?”

Jean-Philippe thought that because he had some knowledge about speech delays, that would be a good way to help people.

“Why not see how far I can take it?” He asked. He wondered if he could “do anything to help other people with kids with speech delays.”

Children will learn hands-on skills while baking, whether it is learning shapes while cutting cookies with cookie cutters, learning their colors through different colored frosting, or learning about how different appliances work.

“The main goal is to help kids learn how to speak and to expand their vocabulary through different baking activities,” said Jean-Philippe.

Jean-Philippe has drafted a plan for what the six-week workshop would look like. For example, in the third week of the session, children would learn about shapes and numbers.

During that week, children would learn how to bake different shapes of cookies first, learning how to bake from beginning to end. They would learn about eggs, flour, sugar, and how much of each ingredient they would need.

Then, after the cookies are baked, they’ll learn not to touch them, because they’ll be too hot. From there, kids will cut cookies into different shapes, like squares and triangles, and the young bakers will also learn about how many sides each shape has.

Jean-Philippe says the goal of “Sweet Talkers” is to get youngsters “to use their words more.”

“Sweet Talkers” was inspired by Jean-Philippe’s younger brothers, Joey, 4, and Gio, 2.

Both brothers have dealt with speech delay.

“My brothers opened a whole world to me that I didn’t even know existed,” Jean-Philippe explained. “I didn’t know so many kids have speech delays.”

Jean-Philippe’s mother also inspires him through baking. At home she’ll bake cakes with assistance from his brothers. While baking, they have made it into a learning experience.

For example, they have learned how to crack eggs.

“Even if they can’t repeat the word immediately, they’ll be familiar with it,” Jean-Philippe said. “So, when you say it in the future, they’ll be able to recognize what certain things mean.”

Jean-Philippe attends Cranston High School West, where he studies culinary arts. His plan to start Sweet Talkers includes gathering information by working with a teacher in the Child Development Program at the Cranston Area Career and Technical Center, the Papitto Opportunity Connection, and his principal. Then the next step for him will be finding a space where Sweet Talkers can meet. He will also talk to family and friends who work in education.

When asked if he would continue this program after high school, Jean-Philippe answered, “I’ll take it as far as I can. It’s still something I’m working on and looking into.”

Jean-Philippe said he’s grateful for the scholarship and the recognition.

“Being chosen, to be in the top 10 out of 400 means a lot to me,” he said. “Then being chosen top two out of 400 means even more. It felt good to know that my voice was being heard.”

Jean-Philippe offered some advice to other students: “Do it. If you have an idea, do it. There’s no hurt in trying. The best thing that happened to me was me getting top-two and getting a business grant and a scholarship.”

Editor’s Note: Emily Swanson is a Beacon Communications editorial intern.