Fountain Hills High School senior Logan Cain has been named the overall winner of the 2014 Pineapple Bowl, Hospitality Leadership’s annual event to test and celebrate students’ knowledge of the industry and its inner workings.

Each year, Hospitality instructor Claire McWilliams invites industry and education professionals to visit the high school campus and grill her students on what they’ve learned over the course of their studies.

“Students rotate through six stations including math, written communication with guests, industry vocabulary/jargon, front office procedures, solving guest complaints and portfolio/ interview,” McWilliams explained.

“Logan Cain won the most fabulous trophy in all the land, inching out his closest competitor by two little points.”

Cain was joined in the Gold bracket of winners by Joshua Pastuszak and Matthew Seiwert.

McWilliams described the Pineapple Bowl as a competition “full of talent and courage,” saying she is very proud of every student who showed up and gave it their best.

Cain said he’s excited to receive the big Pineapple trophy, as he expects it will make an interesting conversation piece for years to come.

“I was a little surprised I won, to be honest, because I knew there were some students who probably knew a bit more than I did,” Cain said.

“But I am absolutely excited and really glad I won.”

Cain said he plans on studying theology at university, but that his time in the local hospitality program will stay with him no matter where he ends up.

“The things I learned in this program will apply to my life no matter where I go,” he continued.

“I’m really glad I was a part of the program. No matter what you get into in life, your goal should always be to serve others.”

Taking Silver honors at the event were Madeline Briguglio, Brooke Crothers, Olesii Kuziuta, Kelly Pederson, Sarah Russo, Samantha Smith, Hailey Straub and Rachel Strayer.

Bronze Honors went to Jennifer Fisher, Kylee Kauffman, Marisa Leger, Matthew McCoy, Gabriella Mei, Margaret Schechner, Claire Wooden and Jalin Yoder.

McWilliams said she would also like to give a “big thank you” to all of the event volunteers and judges, including Tom Brennan, Jennifer Ray, Mackenzie Loving, Mary Davisson, Darren Brainard, Cindy Landes, Mike Harrison, Sabine Hebert, Courtney Beyer, Sandy Davis, Christine Southerland, Eric Cooper, Bruce Haseley and Rachael Mann.