Kansas City Teen Wins "Best Teen Chef" Title and Full Ride Scholarship
A success story is always heartwarming, and a success story against difficult odds is even more so. It's in that spirit that 19-year-old Sammy Jo Claussen overcame disadvantage to blow the competition out of the water and win the title of "Best Teen Chef," plus a coveted full-ride scholarship to Art Institute at Kansas City.
How did it happen? As Kansas City.com reports, for a long time it didn't seem likely: "During the last few years at Shawnee Mission North High School, Sammy Jo Claussen wasn't exactly on the 'winner' track. Dyslexic and bipolar with anger issues and attention deficit disorder, the temperamental teen kept to herself. Able to read at only a fourth-grade level, she was teased by classmates and dismissed as dumb... The writing seemed to be on the wall." There was a part of her, however, that hardly anyone had yet seen -- and it's a part that can't be easily dismissed.
It's the part of her that drew from "15 years of hands-on experience" learning to cook from her grandmother and encouragement from teachers at the trade school she was attending part time. It's the part of her that braved the competition with a broken wrist, where many would have dropped out. And it's the part of her that beat out hundreds of other teenagers from across the country for a title and a $90,000 scholarship prize to pursue a culinary arts degree. It isn't a prize that Claussen takes lightly, either. She told Kansas City.com. "When you come here, you want to pay attention to everything and make sure you're listening and getting good grades." It isn't a contest she won easily, but she dominated the competition and is prepared to do the same in the culinary world.
Search Schools
University of PhoenixAt University of Phoenix, we believe everyone deserves access to higher education.
Programs
Location: Online |
|
Everest University OnlineManage your career and your life while earning your degree online.
Programs
Location: Santa Ana: , Santa Ana CA |
|
Capella UniversityAchieve your potential with an online degree from Capella University. Programs
Location: Minneapolis: Capella Tower, Minneapolis MN 55402 |
|
USC School of Social WorkThe USC School of Social Work’s MSW@USC offers the opportunity to earn a Master of Social Work degree through the Virtual Academic Center without relocating to Southern California. Programs
Location: Online |
|
Keiser UniversityFor over 30 years, Keiser University eCampus Online has provided student-centered, quality career education.
Programs
Location: Fort Lauderdale: , Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 |
|
DeVry UniversityMake a difference with a graduate degree from DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management.
Programs
Location: Chicago: , Chicago IL |
|
Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health StudiesFounded in 1789, Georgetown University is the nation's oldest Catholic and Jesuit university. Today, Georgetown is a major international research university that embodies its founding principles in the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff, our commitment to justice and the common good, our intellectual openness, and our international character.
Programs
Location: Online |
|
Virginia CollegeSet your career in motion at Virginia College Online.
Programs
Location: Birmingham: 300 River Hills Business Park, Birmingham AL 35242 |
|
Animal Behavior CollegeInterested in a career as a professional dog trainer? Animal Behavior College is the place to start.
Programs
Location: Northridge: 9249 Reseda Blvd, Northridge CA 91324 |
|
Ashford UniversityEarn the degree you've always wanted at Ashford University. Be empowered with resources to achieve your goals, including an innovative online classroom and a supportive environment. Ashford University is defining the modern college experience.
Programs
Location: Online |
|
