GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — Gabriella Westraad (25), a former Union High School learner from Graaff-Reinet is rapidly making a name for herself in the culinary world with her remarkable academic achievements.
On 16 July, Gabriella (also known as Gabi among the locals) graduated with an Associate of Science degree in the United States of America (USA) with Summa Cum Laude, which is the highest academic achievement.
She was one of three of her class of 2018 who managed to accomplish it.
She did her sciences degree in Culinary Arts, specialising in bread-making and pastry.
After Gabi matriculated at Union, she worked in Natal for two years and later decided to work as an Au Pair in America.
She was appointed by a family in Philadelphia and spent two years as an Au Pair to their children.
As part of her duties as an Au Pair, she attended a Bread Community Class at the prestigious Walnut Hill Culinary Academy and loved it so much that it was her dream to study full time.
Her host mother, Vanessa Lowry made it possible for her to enrol and she started her studies in February 2017.
Gabi also received the honour of being the valedictorian of her class. A student having the highest rank in a graduating class delivers the valedictory address at the commencement.
A further Award of the Spirit of the Industry was bestowed upon her at the graduation ceremony.
She was also awarded the Student Leader Accolade which is a mentoring project run by the school whereby students that embody the ideals of the school work with staff to help the school run in a smooth fashion and assist with new students.
All her hard work paid off when she received a scholarship bursary for her next year of studies towards her Bachelor Degree.
Her goal for the next 24 months would be to ensure that she achieves the same academic excellence in the first 12 months to ensure that she can qualify for the scholarship for the last year of studies.
Gabi’s future ideals are to complete her Bachelors and then to assume a teaching post in Philadelphia Pennsylvania where she is currently residing in the USA.
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