“I was homeschooled the last two years of high school and had to drop out of a lot of the programs I participated in like the swim team and the chorale,” she said. “So, I haven’t received an award in a long time. That’s why it felt nice to be recognized for the work I did at SkillsUSA. I am looking forward to national competition this summer.”

Working as a pastry chef is something she has thought about for a long time but did not realize MGCCC offered a program that would make her dreams a reality.

“I had wanted to learn to bake since I was 15 but didn’t really know where to start,” she said. “After graduating high school, I was looking at programs that might be interesting to me. I didn’t think MGCCC would have a Baking and Pastry Arts program, but it did. I applied and was accepted. I was so excited to get started I found a job doing baking prep that summer before classes started.”

She said the incredible instructors at MGCCC have helped her grow as a chef and as an individual.

“Chef Lori Pearce is such an amazing chef to work with and always sees the best in everyone.  She knows how to bring out your best,” she said. “Chef Lauren Howard has taught me so much about the culinary side of the industry and helped grow my interest in that area as well. Chef Todd Reilly has shown me how to have a backbone in the kitchen and has always been supportive. I am very grateful to all my chefs for everything they have taught me.”

Having experience working as a prep cook and looking forward to a new job starting soon, she is looking toward the future and her long-term plans. She hopes to eventually move somewhere near the mountains.

“I love the mountains and think about moving to Georgia and working in a bakery,” she said.  My ultimate goal is to own a bakery so I can create my own unique pastries.”