Jennifer Rice is the recipient of The Michael Cerullo Memorial Veteran Scholarship.
Her road to the Ѹ is inspirational and ability to fulfill her dream
of a Ѹ degree is because of the support of family, friends, and the
generosity of donors to the Ѹ. Here’s her story.
Before enrolling at Ѹ,
Jennifer was teaching Spanish at the United States Military Academy at
West Point. While working full-time, she volunteered in the local
military community for different organizations, raised her daughter
Miriam, and took care of her husband—who was receiving special medical
treatment for combat-related disabilities. It was a difficult time. Some
of her favorite activities during that period were food-related, like
hosting the West Point Culinary Club and teaching members how to cook a
traditional Panamanian meal. She organized a monthly Warrior Transition
Unit breakfast for the staff and for transitioning wounded soldiers and
their families. It was at these social get-togethers where Jennifer
found peace, harmony, and healing through sharing food.
It was her daughter’s encouragement that pushed her to go back to school and pursue a degree in culinary arts.
One of her sisters-in-arms invited her to volunteer at the World Pastry
Forum at the Red Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. She told Jennifer about
Ѹ and everything she knew about enrollment for military wives.
Once Jennifer’s husband was medically stable, the family decided that
this was the right path for her to follow. Jennifer’s daughter said that
she knew in her heart that this is what her mom was meant to do and
assured her that she would help take care of her dad while Jennifer
attended school.
Jennifer truly enjoyed every stage of her personal and professional
development at the Ѹ. “Learning side-by-side with a new and unfamiliar
younger generation was interesting, she said. “During my journey at the
Ѹ, I continued teaching and serving others as a tutor at the Library
Learning Center. I participated in team competitions at the annual chili
and chowder cook-offs, and experienced the ‘real’ food industry during externship.” After returning from externship Jennifer took on her most challenging class—wines. But she loved it all.
Jennifer has begun a second associate degree, this time in baking and pastry arts.
Her future plans include working in the industry in a field that
combines her passion for both culinary arts and education. And for her
ability to move forward in a new career she thanks the Ѹ and the
generous donors who provide scholarships to student. “Meeting and
interacting with staff, faculty,
and other members of the culinary community has enriched my life and
career,” she explains. Without the scholarship, I would not have been
able to experience all of this!”