My Story My name is Tera Draper, a 19-year-old second-year student at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina, majoring in Culinary Arts. I am deeply in love with Jesus Christ. I love talking to Him and reading His word. I grew up in the church, my mother and her mother are strong women of God. Growing up with an abusive father, I had to find comfort and happiness; I found it in Jesus and in the joy of food. I remember seeing my grandmother praise God, and hearing my mother and aunts join in prayer over the phone. I also can recall my grandmother cooking breakfast, my auntie would bake homemade cookies, and my mom prepare her delicious sweet potato pies during the holidays. These things was a comforting distraction from my father's cruelty. I was inspired to pursue culinary arts as my field of study; I take pleasure in creating happiness for others with the meals I prepare. My background in psychology has also revealed to me that foods contain compounds that produce chemicals like serotonin, which can physically affect your brain. Food has served as a source of healing for me, leading me to understand that it can also be healing for others. In 2019, I became a member of a Christian organization called the GLOSS GIRLS in Atlanta, GA, which engages us in service projects aimed at assisting and supporting those in need. Growing up, I developed a desire to assist women and children who may have experienced similar challenges as I did. I aim to assure them that joy exists and that there is hope in everything. This passion for spreading happiness through food motivates me to cook and prepare meals that provide comfort to others. Therefore, I have had the honor of cooking and sharing my culinary creations at homeless shelters, park events, and other venues. The feeling of doing something wonderful, such as providing a memorable spectacle, even if just for a moment, was something to behold. The expressed gratitude and the many acknowledgments for the time we devoted to making sure everyone was well-fed were touching. I vividly remember volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Augusta, GA in 2022, where I led a team from the GLOSS Girls organization. We made breakfast for all those present, and in return, we received with numerous expressions of gratitude and kind words for dedicating our time to provide them with a meal. I've had the opportunity to serve with my church, helping with the children's ministry by providing snacks, and we occasionally extended our services to hotel guests to assist those less fortunate through a food truck. Seeing the joy and smiles on their faces has made my desire to help and serve even more clear. During my senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to work alongside my teacher, Chef Roberts, serving both my class and the community at a Senior Class event. Witnessing these events has inspired my aspiration to own a food truck and it has giving me a desire to serve those in less fortunate circumstances who are unable to dine at restaurants. I want to be able to travel from one location to another, hoping that the food I prepare will uplift those who taste it. I am inspired to evoke the same sentiment in others as I pursue my goals. I am committed to continuing my support for those in need in the most effective way I know. The passion for serving and aiding others is deeply embedded in my heart.

My Story My name is Tera Draper, a 19-year-old second-year student at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina, majoring in Culinary Arts. I am deeply in love with Jesus Christ. I love talking to Him and reading His word. I grew up in the church, my mother and her mother are strong women of God. Growing up with an abusive father, I had to find comfort and happiness; I found it in Jesus and in the joy of food. I remember seeing my grandmother praise God, and hearing my mother and aunts join in prayer over the phone. I also can recall my grandmother cooking breakfast, my auntie would bake homemade cookies, and my mom prepare her delicious sweet potato pies during the holidays. These things were a comforting distraction from my father's cruelty. I was inspired to pursue culinary arts as my field of study; I take pleasure in creating happiness for others with the meals I prepare. My background in psychology has also revealed to me that foods contain compounds that produce chemicals like serotonin, which can physically affect your brain. Food has served as a source of healing for me, leading me to understand that it can also be healing for others. In 2019, I became a member of a Christian organization called the GLOSS GIRLS in Atlanta, GA, which engages us in service projects aimed at assisting and supporting those in need. Growing up, I developed a desire to assist women and children who may have experienced similar challenges as I did. I aim to assure them that joy exists and that there is hope in everything. This passion for spreading happiness through food motivates me to cook and prepare meals that provide comfort to others. Therefore, I have had the honor of cooking and sharing my culinary creations at homeless shelters, park events, and other venues. The feeling of doing something wonderful, such as providing a memorable spectacle, even if just for a moment, was something to behold. The expressed gratitude and the many acknowledgments for the time we devoted to making sure everyone was well-fed were touching. I vividly remember volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Augusta, GA in 2022, where I led a team from the GLOSS Girls organization. We made breakfast for all those present, and in return, we received with numerous expressions of gratitude and kind words for dedicating our time to provide them with a meal. I've had the opportunity to serve with my church, helping with the children's ministry by providing snacks, and we occasionally extended our services to hotel guests to assist those less fortunate through a food truck. Seeing the joy and smiles on their faces has made my desire to help and serve even more clear. During my senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to work alongside my teacher, Chef Roberts, serving both my class and the community at a Senior Class event. Witnessing these events has inspired my aspiration to own a food truck and it has giving me a desire to serve those in less fortunate circumstances who are unable to dine at restaurants. I want to be able to travel from one location to another, hoping that the food I prepare will uplift those who taste it. I am inspired to evoke the same sentiment in others as I pursue my goals. I am committed to continuing my support for those in need in the most effective way I know. The passion for serving and aiding others is deeply embedded in my heart.

My Story My name is Tera Draper, a 19-year-old second-year student at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina, majoring in Culinary Arts. Having grown up with an abusive father, I discovered comfort and happiness in food. I recall the excitement of watching my grandmother cook breakfast, my aunt baked her homemade cookies, and my mom prepare her delicious sweet potato pies during the holidays. Observing them was a comforting distraction from my father's cruelty. This inspired me to pursue culinary arts as my field of study; I take pleasure in creating happiness for others with the meals I prepare. My background in psychology has also revealed to me that foods contain compounds that produce chemicals like serotonin, which can physically affect your brain. Food has served as a source of healing for me, leading me to understand that it can also be healing for others. In 2019, I became a member of the GLOSS GIRLS organization in Atlanta, GA, which engages us in service projects aimed at assisting and supporting those in need. Growing up, I developed a desire to assist women and children who may have experienced similar challenges as I did. I aim to assure them that joy exists and that there is hope in everything. This passion for spreading happiness through food motivates me to cook and prepare meals that provide comfort to others. Therefore, I have had the honor of cooking and sharing my culinary creations at homeless shelters, park events, and other venues. The feeling of doing something wonderful, such as providing a memorable spectacle, even if just for a moment, was something to behold. The expressed gratitude and the many acknowledgments for the time we devoted to making sure everyone was well-fed were touching. I vividly remember volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Augusta, GA in 2022, where I led a team from the GLOSS Girls organization. We made breakfast for all those present, and in return, we received with numerous expressions of gratitude and kind words for dedicating our time to provide them with a meal. I've had the opportunity to serve with my church, helping with the children's ministry by providing snacks, and we occasionally extended our services to hotel guests to assist those less fortunate through a food truck. Seeing the joy and smiles on their faces has made my desire to help and serve even more clear. During my senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to work alongside my teacher, Chef Roberts, serving both my class and the community at a Senior Class event. Witnessing these events has inspired my aspiration to own a food truck and it has giving me a desire to serve those in less fortunate circumstances who are unable to dine at restaurants. I want to be able to travel from one location to another, hoping that the food I prepare will uplift those who taste it. I am inspired to evoke the same sentiment in others as I pursue my goals. I am committed to continuing my support for those in need in the most effective way I know. The passion for serving and aiding others is deeply embedded in my heart.

My Act of Kindness My name is Tera Draper, a 19-year-old second-year student at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina, majoring in Culinary Arts. Having grown up with an abusive father, I discovered comfort and happiness in food. I recall the excitement of watching my grandmother cook breakfast, my aunt baked her homemade cookies, and my mom prepare her delicious sweet potato pies during the holidays. Observing them was a comforting distraction from my father's cruelty. This inspired me to pursue culinary arts as my field of study; I take pleasure in creating happiness for others with the meals I prepare. My background in psychology has also revealed to me that foods contain compounds that produce chemicals like serotonin, which can physically affect your brain. Food has served as a source of healing for me, leading me to understand that it can also be healing for others. In 2019, I became a member of the GLOSS GIRLS organization in Atlanta, GA, which engages us in service projects aimed at assisting and supporting those in need. Growing up, I developed a desire to assist women and children who may have experienced similar challenges as I did. I aim to assure them that joy exists and that there is hope in everything. This passion for spreading happiness through food motivates me to cook and prepare meals that provide comfort to others. Therefore, I have had the honor of cooking and sharing my culinary creations at homeless shelters, park events, and other venues. The feeling of doing something wonderful, such as providing a memorable spectacle, even if just for a moment, was something to behold. The expressed gratitude and the many acknowledgments for the time we devoted to making sure everyone was well-fed were touching. I vividly remember volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Augusta, GA in 2022, where I led a team from the GLOSS Girls organization. We made breakfast for all those present, and in return, we received with numerous expressions of gratitude and kind words for dedicating our time to provide them with a meal. I've had the opportunity to serve with my church, helping with the children's ministry by providing snacks, and we occasionally extended our services to hotel guests to assist those less fortunate through a food truck. Seeing the joy and smiles on their faces has made my desire to help and serve even more clear. During my senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to work alongside my teacher, Chef Roberts, serving both my class and the community at a Senior Class event. Witnessing these events has inspired my aspiration to own a food truck and it has giving me a desire to serve those in less fortunate circumstances who are unable to dine at restaurants. I want to be able to travel from one location to another, hoping that the food I prepare will uplift those who taste it. I am inspired to evoke the same sentiment in others as I pursue my goals. I am committed to continuing my support for those in need in the most effective way I know. The passion for serving and aiding others is deeply embedded in my heart.