Sue Murray Memorial Baking, Pastry & Culinary Arts Scholarship

My name is Saint, and I’m currently studying culinary and baking because, for me, food is more than food — it’s expression, comfort, therapy, and sometimes, the only thing that makes the world make sense. I’m a parent to a beautiful autistic daughter, and we both have ADHD. That combination means our life is colorful, creative, and sometimes chaotic — but the kitchen has always been our calm place. I didn’t step into baking through tradition — I stepped into it through necessity. My daughter struggles with sensory food challenges, and traditional meals often felt unsafe or overwhelming for her. At the same time, ADHD made it hard for both of us to stay regulated throughout the day. But somehow, baking became our bridge. Measuring, kneading, rolling — it gave us focus, rhythm, creativity, and peace. Baking isn’t just something I enjoy — it grounds me. It gives me clarity, purpose, and something meaningful to shape with my hands. That is where Cookie Bun, my future bakery, was born — out of love, patience, experimentation, and a desire to create food that feels safe, nostalgic, and joyful all at once. One day, I combined cookie dough inside cinnamon roll dough, and my daughter actually ate it. It wasn’t just food — it was a breakthrough. Since then, I have dreamed of turning that idea into something bigger: a bakery-lounge where baked goods are full of story, sensory comfort, art, and community. My pastries might look different — but that’s because they are different. They’re made for people who don’t always fit in the mold. People with sensory needs. People who connect with creativity more than instructions. People who feel deeply and taste memories. In my culinary program, I’m learning the technical side — dough science, food cost %, sanitation, menu pricing, kitchen flow, and production management. But what I bring into the classroom is something the textbook doesn’t teach: baking with empathy. Baking as communication. Baking as therapy. Baking as belonging. This scholarship honors Sue Murray — someone who used her creativity to gift handmade baked goods to patients, neighbors, and family. I resonated so deeply with that. I bake with that same purpose — to give, comfort, and connect. That is what I want to carry into my career. Not just a bakery — but a space that feels warm, safe, sensory-friendly, and deeply human. As someone with ADHD raising a child with autism and ADHD, I’ve learned that structure, creativity, and passion are powerful tools. Baking gives me all three. It keeps me focused. It challenges me. It lets me dream — but also make those dreams real. I’m not just pursuing a career in pastry — I’m building a path that combines mental health, sensory awareness, art, and baking. I want to create pastries that spark memory. Spaces that feel like home. And opportunities for people like me — who don’t always thrive in traditional environments — to create, grow, and shine. My journey started in my kitchen. But it won’t end there. And just like dough, I’m still rising.