Baking has had a stronghold on my heart for as long as I can remember. When I was small, I'd bring my Disney princess step stool into the kitchen so I could help my parents make dinner. I'd follow my Grandma around on weekends begging her to bake something with me, and she always did. I helped as much as I could because I loved spending time with them, learning something new, and seeing all the possibilities my hands could one day create. And so, with time, I began honing in my craft. Whenever there was a family gathering, I always made a dessert. They started out simple, like cookies and cakes. But as I got better at the basics, I started getting creative. A dark chocolate espresso tart, homemade pop tarts, and caramel apple pie bombs were my biggest hits. I love providing for people, and I love it even more when I truly enjoy the task at hand. When I realized how much I love baking, I decided at the ripe age of 12 that I'm going to open my own bakery as soon as I can. Since then, I've learned how difficult it can be to start a business, and I've learned this personally. As a side job, I started a mehndi (henna) business. It's an art form that connects me to my culture, (and has really improved my cake decorating!) but keeping my business running is more difficult than I initially thought. Between marketing, looking for spaces/events that want me, and the work itself is so much to keep up with. I love it with my whole heart though, so it is well worth it. That's exactly how I feel about baking, which is why I now know that opening a bakery (hopefully with a full espresso bar!) is going to be more difficult than I imagined. My dream of owning my own bakery has been in the forefront of my brain since that age of 12, affecting every decision that could put me on that path. The most influential so far being my high school education. I was dreading going to high school with the people who made my childhood not nearly as fun as it could've been when I discovered vocational schooling. I was over the moon when I found out I could cook and bake my way through high school, so that's just what I did. The Culinary Arts program at the Carbon Career and Technical Institute truly changed my life. I obtained a wide variety of culinary knowledge, customer service skills, and networking abilities that I never would've found in my teenage years. Every other day is learning in the kitchen and forging some of the strongest friendships I've ever seen. We toured the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia in the spring of my junior year. Its gorgeous campus, small size, and welcoming staff really had me hooked on applying. That's when they introduced us to their summer institute, which I immediately signed up for. That camp was actually the best summer camp I've attended. Experiencing college-level kitchen education in my eternally-loved birthplace was the most magical dream come true. This all led to my applying to their school, with my acceptance coming not long after! Baking is my passion, and I'm well on my way to achieving my dreams. I can't wait to see what college holds for me, and how long it'll take to open my bakery. Thank you dearly for your consideration, and look me up in a decade or two to try my long-awaited desserts!