La Quinta High School senior awarded $2,000 culinary scholorship
This year, Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI), Palm Springs Chapter awarded an annual $2,000 culinary scholarship to Victoria Bowman, graduating senior at La Quinta High School.
Bowman, who has been accepted at Johnson & Wales University in the culinary arts program, is the newest scholarship recipient for the organization which has supported four other college and university students this past year. Bowman will continue to receive a $2,000 scholarship upon demonstrating good academic standing throughout her college career.
Bowman achieved an above average GPA throughout her education at La Quinta High School. She was involved in the school’s Culinary Arts program for four years, a leader on the ProStart Team cooking competition, and interned as a prep cook at Sherman’s Deli, Bakery & Catering in Palm Desert. Bowman plans to achieve her Associate Arts degree in culinary and then a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition with an emphasis on business.
Graduating this year from California Polytechnic University, Pomona, in culinary arts is Ruthy Pagan, who was also a graduate of La Quinta High School’s culinary program. LDEI has supported Pagan throughout her college career with a $2,000 annual scholarship, and an additional grant this year for her to attend an international culinary program this summer in Italy.
Other current LDEI Scholarship recipients are first year college students Cassandra Aguirre, a Coachella Valley High School graduate, attending the Art Institute San Bernardino, culinary arts program; and two Indio High School graduates: Cassandra Harper, attending San Jose State University with a science/nutrition major; and Cintya Beltran, attending College of the Desert, majoring in biology.
Since 1997, the Palm Springs Chapter has been awarding scholarships to young women pursuing higher education in the culinary, hospitality and nutrition industries. This past year, the organization has provided $9,000 in scholarship monies to local students.
