Rachel Reppert
Chesapeake, VA
AOS Culinary Arts, August 2006
BPS Culinary Arts, March 2008
San Pellegrino Expendable Scholarship Fund

"My father taught me many family recipes when I was younger," said Rachel Reppert, who will turn 22 in September. Her interests diverged in her teenage years, but came back to cooking when she enrolled in a class in her school's catering department. "We did many functions, including weddings and school events," said Rachel. "I enjoyed the cooking and serving my peers and guests."

Rachel, who completed her Externship in West Palm Beach, Florida, had planned from the beginning to pursue her Bachelor's degree in Professional Studies after earning her Associate degree. "I knew that the things I wanted to accomplish would not be possible without it." After her BPS graduation on May 20, 2008, Rachel's goal is to continue her education, working toward her Master's degree at either George Washington University or Virginia Tech.

"I would love to have a job that helps bridge the relationship between farmers, chefs, and the government to focus on local agricultural stability," said Rachel, noting that she is looking forward to taking a Nutritional Ecology course with Professor Richard Vergili this coming fall.

For the summer, Rachel embarks on the Food and Wine Seminar in Italy . This innovative curriculum was developed to help globalize the CIA's course offerings. Rachel and other students selected for the three-week course will visit cities all over Italy , learning about the wines and foods of Italy 's various regions, participating in a variety of cooking classes, and visiting cultural sites.

Rachel works part-time on campus at the student recreation center. "I love it because I feel like a am part of the student atmosphere," Rachel said. She is grateful for the San Pellegrino Scholarship and what it has done for her future. "Without your generosity, I would not be as focused on schoolwork as I am now. Affording a college education for any student is hard, but it's people like you who make the future brighter."

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Our students ask "You do a Latte for us, would you give a little back?"

As a member of the CIA faculty and staff, the things you do every day have a positive effect on the Institute. You can also make a difference in another way – by considering a gift to this year's "Give a Latte, Help a Lot" Campaign.

Every day, we have the opportunity to be role models and mentors to all of our students. Many talented students and professionals choose the CIA to receive the finest education available. Unfortunately, some struggle to finance the cost of their studies. The good news is that most of our students qualify for some form of financial assistance, and your participation helps those students to obtain a CIA education and gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the foodservice and hospitality industry.

Watch an online presentation (Put your speakers on!)

Something else most of us do every day: buy a cup of coffee. Whether it's at the Apple Pie Bakery Café, the DeBaun Café, or at a local coffee house, we might pay $3 or more for a beverage. The big question is: would you miss that latte if you decided to "give a little bit" back to our students? If you donated the equivalent of one latte per pay period, you'd be making a donation of $78 – that may not sound like much, but every gift counts, and when they're added together they create a cupful of opportunity for our students!

There are many ways you can support the campaign – you can make a donation to one of the many scholarships created in memory of former colleagues who helped make the CIA the monumental place it is today, or you can also support a specific project or facility on one of the campuses.

You also have more options for making your gift! You can make your contribution through the CIA's new, secure online giving form which will allow you to choose several kinds of payment plans; or you can fill out payroll deduction form and make your contribution

Every dollar of your gift goes directly to the scholarship or program you choose, and will have a tremendous impact on our current and future students.

Thank you for your support!

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