C-CAP teachers talk about winning students

C-CAP students become so in part through their own skills and determination, but before they can even think about that, they need a dedicated teacher.

And those teachers often have great instincts and insights in identifying talented students.

For instance, EVIT culinary instructor Mike Turcotte has worked with and assessed each EVIT student who competed this year.

Esmeralda Arriaga, he says, "is a focused student, always searching for perfection.  She will work on imperfections until they are corrected." She received a C-CAP education scholarship for $1,000.

EVIT student Megan Kientiz won this year's $3,000 Barbara Colleary Scholarship, and Mike says, "A hard worker who strives to be quick and accurate, Megan works in our industry and knows what effort is needed to be successful."

About Abby McCallum, EVIT senior who won both of this year's James Beard Scholarships ($2,500 from Dinner and $3,750 from the Foundation), Mike says, "She's an outgoing, fun person who is a fierce competitor when the time comes.  A second-year student in C-CAP, she truly knows what level the judges' expect to see."

As for Sierra Noel, who won the $5,000 Mystery Chef Dinner Scholarship, Mike says, "She's a single mom who works hard to show her daughter what it means to be dedicated to improvement.  Sierra is a talented young lady with focused dreams."

"Focused" is often used in describing C-CAP students, and that's how Liberty High culinary instructor Jeffrey Stanhill describes his student, Joshua Allred. 

Joshua, who won a $1,000 C-CAP Education Scholarship, is, according to Jeff, "…one of those rare students that knows how o focus and have fun at the same time.  During the last week of practice, his range of improvement was so outstanding - I am so proud of him for making it to the finals."

From Mountain View High, Luis Magallon is "one of the most dedicated people I know," says teacher Marissa Arndt.  "I have learned so much just by working with him for these past three years."  Luis received the $2,000 Tracy Fierros Memorial Scholarship, and an employment scholarship from Canyon Ranch.

Mountain View student Morgan Goss has faced struggles, Marissa says, but her "positive attitude, strength and perseverance" clearly helped her through the competition. 

Morgan's $2,150 professional series scholarship with Classic Cooking Academy will work with her $1,000 scholarship from Slow Food Southern Arizona to expand her capabilities for the "plus employment" part of that award.

 Willingness to work, determination to succeed

Dean Wilberscheid, culinary instructor at MetroTech, is impressed with the drive and determination C-CAP students have.  He calls Rebecca Estrada "one of the hardest working students in culinary arts. (She) realizes if you do not possess a god-given talent, you must work harder to achieve it."

She won a $1,000 C-CAP education scholarship, and, Dean says, "has the dedication and passion to become a very successful Culinarian."

MetroTech student Bryan Sanchez won a $1,000 scholarship from Desert Peak Marketing and a $2,000 C-CAP education scholarship, too.  Bryan, says Dean, has "a vision, a goal and is pursuing his dream.  (He) has the drive and skill to achieve success in (this) industry."

As for Ana Osuna, who won a full tuition scholarship for the certificate at Le Cordon Bleu, Dean says she, too, has worked hard for success.  "Anna has persevered through personal hurdles.  Culinary Arts is a love where she can express herself and be creative.

"Ana could be a new trend setter in Culinary Arts."

Deborah Snyder, culinary teacher at Independence High School, says Alondra Molina is "very passionate about having a career in the culinary arts."

Alondra's $1,000 C-CAP education scholarship accompanied the $2,500 scholarship from Getting Our Just Desserts.  She is "very excited about the opportunities that lie ahead," Deborah says.

 Passion counts, but so does grit and skill

Teachers are excited, too, when students demonstrate their excitement and determination.  Luigi Marinelli was Matthew Breitweiser's teacher at Flowing Wells High, and he says, "He has demonstrated a true passion for the culinary arts! It has been a pleasure for me coaching this fine young man!"

Matthew won a $4,000 C-CAP education scholarship this year.

Devon Wells, culinary teacher at Payson High School, is just as excited about  Jennifer LaBadie-Bailey.  Jennifer won both the $5,000 Fuel Up to Play 60 from the Arizona Dairy Association and a full tuition scholarship  worth $43,830 for an associate's degree from the Art Institute of Colorado.

Devon says, "(Jennifer) has a superior palate.  She can determine flavors and is a natural food critic at such a young age."

Nick Meitner, director of the culinary arts program at Canyon del Oro High, has equally high regard for his student, Bryn Timmis.

"Bryn is truly one of the best young chefs out there today," Nick says.  "He amazes me with his passion and dedication…"

Bryn won a full, $52,290 scholarship for the associate's degree from the Culinary Institute of America, and took first place with the American Institute for Cancer Research recipe competition, worth $5,000.

This year's top award from Arizona C-CAP went to Kristen Kuehn, a senior from Perry High.  Kristen, says culinary instructor Angela Stutz, illustrates what can happen when students are focused, determined and passionate.

"Kristen is an underdog," Angela says.  "She came to her instructor with little experience or culinary knowledge.  But she had hopes and dreams of being a part of C-CAP.

"Through her dedication, determination and hard work, she has made her dreams a reality."

Her hard-won full tuition scholarship for $108,624 for Johnson & Wales University will take Kristen a long way toward making even more of her dreams come true.