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Gisel Ypina

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Finalist

Bio

I want to be able to own a baking business for myself something that I may call my own one day and make people delicious sweets.

Education

University of North Texas at Dallas

Bachelor's degree program
2025 - 2029
  • Majors:
    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Food & Beverages

    • Dream career goals:

      Sports

      Archery

      Club
      2022 – 20242 years

      Awards

      • N/A

      Public services

      • Volunteering

        Girl Scouts — Made care packages for the military and their dogs
        2010 – 2016
      • Volunteering

        CCA — Restocker
        2023 – 2025

      Future Interests

      Entrepreneurship

      Sabrina Carpenter Superfan Scholarship
      I have listened and watch Sabrina Carpenter act and sing before she was until recently popular and have been a fan since those early days because her career has always felt like a slow-burn success built on persistence, versatility, and an unusually clear sense of self. What drew me in first was not hype or chart placement, but her ability to move naturally between acting and music without feeling manufactured. Even early on, she had a presence that suggested she was learning her craft deliberately, growing in public while still protecting a core authenticity that many young performers struggle to keep. As an actress, Sabrina showed emotional range at a young age, especially in roles that required subtlety rather than exaggeration. She brought warmth and realism to characters that could have easily felt one-dimensional, which made her performances memorable even when the projects themselves were modest in scale. Watching her over time, it became clear that she wasn’t rushing to be seen as something she wasn’t ready to be. Instead, she let her acting mature alongside her, which made her evolution feel earned rather than forced. Her music followed a similar path. Early releases hinted at strong songwriting instincts, but what stood out most was her willingness to experiment and refine her sound. Each album felt like a checkpoint rather than a final destination. She explored pop, acoustic storytelling, and more playful, confident tones without losing coherence. That gradual confidence-building is part of why her later work resonates so strongly; it feels informed by years of trial, growth, and self-reflection rather than sudden reinvention. What has impacted me most about her career is how clearly it demonstrates the value of patience. In an industry obsessed with overnight success, Sabrina’s rise challenges the idea that visibility must come immediately to be meaningful. She spent years developing her voice, both literally and artistically, and when wider recognition finally arrived, she was ready for it. That kind of timing matters. It shows that longevity often comes from consistency and self-trust, not just viral moments. Another reason I admire her is her control over her narrative. As her audience grew, she leaned into sharper lyrical honesty and a more self-assured public persona. Instead of shying away from scrutiny, she responded with wit, intelligence, and creative clarity. Her humor and confidence don’t feel defensive; they feel grounded. That has made her music more relatable, especially for listeners who have also had to learn how to define themselves while being watched or judged. On a personal level, following her career has been quietly motivating. Seeing someone build success step by step reinforces the idea that growth doesn’t have to be loud to be real. Sabrina Carpenter’s journey reflects the importance of staying committed to your craft even when recognition is slow. Her work ethic, adaptability, and refusal to be boxed into one identity are reminders that creative paths don’t have to be linear to be valid. Ultimately, being a fan of Sabrina Carpenter isn’t just about enjoying her songs or performances. It’s about appreciating a career shaped by resilience, curiosity, and intention. Her impact lies in showing that taking your time, learning publicly, and owning your evolution can lead to something lasting—and that kind of example stays with you long after the music ends.
      Kendall Ross Culinary Scholarship
      Kendall’s favorite quote, “iron sharpens iron,” speaks to the idea that people grow stronger when they are challenged by others who want the best for them. To me, it represents the power of healthy pressure, teamwork, and constant improvement. In the culinary industry, where perfection is never truly reached and there is always something new to learn, this quote feels deeply personal. It reminds me that I can’t become my best by staying comfortable. I become my best when I put myself around people who push me, inspire me, and help me rise. Cooking isn’t just about following recipes. It’s about developing skill, discipline, creativity, and confidence under pressure. When iron sharpens iron, it’s not always gentle. Sometimes it’s stressful, sometimes it’s humbling, and sometimes it exposes where you still need to improve. That’s exactly what happens in a kitchen environment. You might have a chef correct your plating, a coworker call out a mistake, or a customer give honest feedback. In the moment, it can feel tough, but those moments are what shape you into someone who can handle the pace and expectations of the culinary world. Growth is rarely comfortable, but it is always worth it. This quote also reminds me that the right people make all the difference. I want to be surrounded by mentors and peers who take pride in their work, who care about excellence, and who aren’t afraid to be honest. I’ve learned that criticism doesn’t have to mean someone is against you. Often, the people who correct you are the ones who see your potential and believe you can do better. In culinary, you need those people. You need the ones who will teach you the proper way to hold a knife, how to manage your time, how to season correctly, and how to keep going even when the night is overwhelming. Those lessons don’t always come from compliments. They come from being held accountable. At the same time, “iron sharpens iron” means I have to be that kind of person too. I don’t just want to be sharpened; I want to sharpen others in a positive way. I want to bring encouragement and strength to the teams I work with. Being a strong culinary professional doesn’t mean being harsh or intimidating. It means being dependable, hardworking, and willing to guide others without tearing them down. I want to be someone who leads with patience, but also expects greatness. When everyone raises the standard, the whole kitchen becomes better. As I think about my aspirations in the culinary industry, this quote motivates me to work harder than what feels easy. I want to become a chef who is respected not only for talent, but for consistency. I want to master fundamentals like sauces, knife skills, and timing, while also developing my own creative style. That level of skill doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from repeated practice, from mistakes, from long shifts, and from learning side by side with others who challenge me. “Iron sharpens iron” also connects to resilience. Kitchens can be intense. There are busy services, high expectations, and moments where you feel overwhelmed. This quote reminds me not to take hardship personally, but to see it as preparation. Overall, Kendall’s quote encourages me to seek challenge instead of avoiding it. It reminds me to value teamwork, accept feedback, and keep raising my standards. In the culinary industry, growth comes from being in the heat, learning from strong people, and becoming strong yourself. I want to be sharpened into a chef who brings passion, excellence, and support into every kitchen I enter.
      Future Green Leaders Scholarship
      Sustainability should be a priority in the bakery business because baking is deeply connected to the environment, from the ingredients we rely on to the energy we use every day. A bakery may seem small compared to large factories, but the cumulative impact of food waste, packaging, sourcing, and energy consumption is significant. Flour comes from wheat grown on farmland, sugar depends on water intensive crops, and even butter and eggs are tied to agriculture that affects land, animals, and climate. When these resources are wasted or overused, it contributes to environmental damage. Making sustainability a priority is not just about protecting the planet, but about respecting the entire process that allows a bakery to exist in the first place. In the bakery field, sustainability also matters because bakeries are community centered businesses. Customers often visit local bakeries daily or weekly, which means bakeries have repeated opportunities to influence habits and expectations. When a bakery chooses sustainable practices, such as reducing waste or using responsibly sourced ingredients, it sets an example for the community. This can encourage customers to think more carefully about where their food comes from and how their choices affect the environment. Sustainability in baking therefore extends beyond the business itself and becomes a shared responsibility between the bakery and the people it serves. One major reason sustainability should be prioritized in bakeries is food waste. Unsold bread and pastries are often thrown away at the end of the day, even though they required time, energy, and ingredients to produce. Reducing this waste can make a meaningful environmental difference. Practices such as donating leftover goods, offering discounted end of day items, or repurposing day old bread into new products can significantly lower waste. These actions not only reduce environmental impact but also reflect care, creativity, and social responsibility. In my future career within the bakery business, I see myself actively working to reduce environmental impact through thoughtful and intentional choices. I want to prioritize sourcing ingredients from local farmers whenever possible, which reduces transportation emissions and supports sustainable agriculture. Using seasonal ingredients would also help lower environmental strain while allowing baked goods to feel more connected to nature and time of year. I also plan to choose suppliers that value ethical farming and environmentally friendly practices. Energy use is another area where I hope to make a difference. Bakeries rely heavily on ovens, mixers, refrigeration, and lighting, all of which consume large amounts of energy. In the future, I would like to invest in energy efficient equipment, be mindful of oven schedules, and reduce unnecessary power usage. Small actions, such as baking in batches and properly maintaining equipment, can lead to long term reductions in energy consumption. Finally, sustainability in my bakery career would be guided by a mindset of care. Baking is about nourishing people, and that care should extend to the planet as well. By making sustainable choices, educating customers, and continuously looking for ways to improve, I believe I can help create a bakery that not only produces delicious food, but also contributes positively to the environment and the community it serves. Sustainability also strengthens the long term success of a bakery. Customers increasingly value transparency, responsibility, and businesses that align with their values. By committing to sustainable practices, a bakery builds trust, loyalty, and pride within its community. This approach reminds me that baking is not only a craft, but a commitment to future generations. Choosing sustainability means choosing patience, intention, and hope, ensuring that the joy of fresh bread can continue without harming the world that provides it for years to come.
      Gisel Ypina Student Profile | Bold.org