Higher education is important to me because of all of the doors it opens up. I am a first-semester bachelor’s student at The Culinary Institute of America, currently enrolled in the Culinary Science: Baking and Pastry Arts program. Higher education was always expected of me since I was a child. My grandfather had gone to Cornell and took education very seriously. This love of learning was instilled in my father who instilled the love and passion for education in me. I truly love to learn, and by doing so, many doors are opened for me along the way. By going to college I am able to make connections that will hopefully last a lifetime. I am able to make friends who will work in the industry in the future with me and will allow me to improve myself and my network. I am also able to make connections to the school and the popular and well-known name of The Culinary Institute of America. By choosing to increase my educational background and continue learning I am allowing myself to improve my technical and emotional skills. I am becoming a better person, student, and worker. I have learned valuable skills that are needed in day-to-day life. I have also expanded upon my knowledge in the kitchen which will allow me to go into the workforce knowing techniques and how to use different tools. This is helpful because it will create a stepping stone for different recipes that I will need to use in many different places of business. I will also stand out from others because of where I am getting my education from. The Culinary Institute of America is one of the most impressive culinary schools in the world and has produced multiple magnificent chefs and bakers. By being associated with the school I am associated with those people and their accomplishments. This association allows for higher expectations from those I work with. I am expected to be impressive because I am studying at an impressive institution. I am proud to be a student at The Culinary Institute of America and to be able to say I am continuing my education at such a prestigious institution. Higher education means I am able to learn from the best and receive the best opportunities. Because of this, I am grateful to be able to have the opportunity to go to college and be enrolled in such a remarkable establishment.

I had a dog named Duffy when I was younger and I currently have a dog named Icy. Duffy was with me from when I was a few weeks old until I was 16. He was a cranky old man but he was perfect. He loved to play with his scuba monkey toy and eat as much people food as he could get. Duffy and I grew up together and he was my best friend. We would go on walks together and play in the sprinklers. He was the best. Duffy had a giant head and a beard which made him adorable and he loved to cuddle. When I was twelve my parents decided to look into getting another dog. They showed me two pictures of two different dogs and asked which dog I liked better and I chose Icy. She looked like a little scruffy sheep and she desperately needed a haircut but she was perfect. We met her and she got along great with Duffy so we adopted her and she loved it. Because Icy was a shelter dog we do not know her past but we assume it is bad because of how she reacts to certain things like my dad covering his face or somebody blowing their nose. She is very affectionate with my parents and I and she tolerates my sister and brother in law as well as my boyfriend. She is fiercely loyal and even though she is about twenty pounds she will bark at anyone she thinks may hurt her family. The love and loyalty that Duffy and Icy have shown me even with their traumas is incredible. They allow me to be sad without judgement and are always there when needed. The love and compassion shown by dogs is unmatched. Dogs allow people to be themselves and love them unconditionally for who they are. Duffy passed away a few years ago and I still cry about it today because I loved him and he loved me. We were best friends and he will forever have an impact on my life as my first dog and my best friend. Icy is still alive and loving all the treats that she gets daily. She is the sweetest dog and I know she will leave an impact on my life forever. I love my dogs and the love that they have shown me is incredible.

The most interesting part of the culinary world to me is how it impacts others. It is very fascinating how food can completely change somebody's day. Food is a critical part of life, but, most people do not see food as only sustenance. In the culture of today's world food is so much more than just something to keep somebody alive. Food is art. Food is family. Food is life. The idea that a specific meal can represent so much to someone is fascinating. For example, pickles are a large part of the Jewish community. Being half Jewish I notice how excited my family will get when pickles are around. It is truly astonishing how a little pickle can bring people together in such a monumental way. In addition, food can completely change the course of the day for someone. Eating a good brownie or being surprised with a cake pop at school not only opens the doors for new friends and experiences but it brightens the days of those around. While in school I would often bake desserts and bring them the next day. Often times I made too many desserts and would have extra at the end of the day. With these I would hand them out to random people or give them to friends of friends. This simple act of handing out a cake pop to a random person seemed to truly make an impact on these people's days. In conclusion, I love how I can create something and it can bring so much joy to another person in such a small amount of time. Making an impact on others through food is truly a special experience that I am proud to have gotten to have and looking forward to having in the future as I improve my baking skills and learn my craft.