Two Baton Rouge Community College students were recently awarded the Sterling Forbes Memorial Endowed Scholarship. The award is presented annually to a BRCC student majoring in Culinary Arts that exhibits a desire to build a career in the culinary industry. This was the first year two students were awarded a $1,500 scholarship based on their academic work and their culinary skills exhibited outside the classroom. Willie Baxter and Melissa Carranza were the recipients of this year’s award during a ceremony held at the BRCC Acadian Campus.
The Sterling Forbes Endowed Scholarship was established in 2009 by Michele Forbes in honor of her late son Sterling Forbes. Sterling was in his last semester in the Culinary Arts program at BRCC when a boating accident on False River suddenly took his life on May 16, 2009.
“I wanted to do something in memory of him (Sterling) and this is where I felt the greatest need would be since a lot of students face the challenge of being able to afford an education, said Forbes. “I believe this scholarship is to help those students who really want to make a difference in their lives and the lives of their families and get the extra money they need to go to school.”
“We are appreciative to the Forbes Family and their continued commitment and engagement with our culinary program and students,” said BRCC Chancellor Dr. Wille E. Smith. “Melissa and Willie are both doing excellent work in the classroom, along with balancing jobs in which they are currently working in the culinary industry. This is the first time two students have been awarded this scholarship, and it speaks to the quality of work they have put forth. Our culinary program is a great start for anyone who wants to prepare for a future in this industry.”
Carranza said the scholarship will give her more flexibility to explore other aspects of the culinary industry as she learns more about other cultures and the type of foods they use and enjoy. She said the two most important things she has learned in the culinary program are leadership and time-management skills.
Baxter said he feels honored to be recognized for his work ethic and achievements. He credited the faculty and staff at BRCC for helping him get his HiSET (High School Equivalency Test) and encouraging him to further his education and pursue his passion for learning more about the culinary industry.