The Culinary Institute of America Awards “Cream of the Crop” Scholarships to Future Industry Leaders
The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) has awarded its Cream of the Crop Scholarships for winter 2011 to four aspiring culinary leaders who begin their CIA studies early next year. The students, who will all be pursuing bachelor's degrees at the CIA, earned merit scholarships to the college based on their leadership skills and academic record.
Recipients earn $5,000 renewable for each year of study at the CIA provided they maintain at least a 3.2 grade point average (GPA). The latest scholarship winners are Ariela Burnett of Wyckoff, N.J.; Phillip Schroeder of Milwaukie, Ore.; Jasmine Velazquez of San Antonio, Texas; and Zachary Voytech of Fort Myers, Fla.
Burnett is a 2010 graduate of Franklin Lakes High School, where she carried a 3.8 GPA. She was a member of the girls' fencing team, Amnesty International Club and Teens-Need-Teens Leadership Group. Ariela volunteers with the American Cancer Society and serves as a vacation Bible school counselor. She begins her CIA studies in baking-and-pastry-arts management in January.
Schroeder graduated from Putnam High School in June 2010 with a 3.8 GPA. He was vice president of the school's Culinary Club and a member of both ProStart and SkillsUSA. He begins his studies in culinary-arts management in January.
Velazquez is a 2010 graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School with a 4.0 GPA. She was vice president of the Student Council, secretary of the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and a member of the National Honor Society (NHS). She volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and Ronald McDonald House. She begins her studies in baking and pastry arts management in March.
Voytech is finishing his studies at Fort Myers High School in December, then begins his CIA studies in culinary-arts management in January. Voytech is carrying a 3.9 GPA and is a member of the NHS and Mu Alpha Theta. Outside of school, he is involved with the Southwest Florida Bluegrass Association and the Education Concerns for Hunger Organization. He is also an Earth Day and art-museum volunteer.
“These four outstanding young men and women rose to the top of a very qualified applicant pool to earn their scholarships,” said Drusilla Blackman, CIA vice president of enrollment management. “They join more than 120 other successful up-and-coming culinarians in the last 12 years whom the CIA has been proud to support through the Cream of the Crop Scholarship.”
The CIA's Cream of the Crop Scholarships are awarded to 10 worthy recipients each year. To learn more about scholarship opportunities to attend The Culinary Institute of America, call (800) CULINARY (285-4627) or visit www.ciachef.edu/admissions.