Dependent overcomes adversity, wins $20,000 culinary scholarship Published Aug. 4, 2009 The Art Institute of Atlanta ATLANTA, Ga. -- *Editor's Note: This story contains additional reporting by the 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office. Mical Tachel Terry recently received a $20,000 scholarship towards a culinary arts degree at one of The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes. She is the daughter of Tech. Sgt. Regena Johnson, 94th Mission Support Squadron. Last fall, The Chef Jeff Project Scholarship Contest invited students from all over the country to submit an essay responding to the question, "How would a culinary degree from The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes help you build a better future?" The essay contest was offered in conjunction with the Food Network show, The Chef Jeff Project, hosted by Chef Jeff Henderson. Essays were judged on three key points - the ability to clearly communicate a specific culinary career goal and vision, the originality of the story, and the degree of passion and conviction for pursuing a culinary arts education. More than 13,000 essays were submitted. Michal was chosen as the winner by Chef Jeff Henderson himself. Mical has a passion for culinary arts that began when she was a small child watching her mother cook for her family. But she had some serious challenges along the road to culinary school. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 14 months, Mical had five surgeries and years of exercises and physical therapy to be able to walk unaided. "Getting a degree in culinary arts will give me a sense of pride and completion, knowing all the struggles my family went through were not in vain, knowing dreams can come true despite my cerebral palsy," Michal said. "The goal I have after completing my culinary arts degree is to go on to open an upscale bakery and restaurant with my mother, my biggest supporter." According to Sergeant Johnson, Mical and her brother are also big supporters of her. So she's done everything she can to help them cultivate their dreams. "We all want our children to do well so it was a tremendous blessing," said Sergeant Johnson, who had been sacrificing her retirement savings to help pay for her daughter's schooling before the scholarship. "I always told my children that if I don't do anything else for you I'm going to make sure you are educated," she said. Starting classes towards the bachelor of science degree in culinary arts management at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Atlanta in January was the beginning of realizing Mical's dream. Now in her third quarter, Mical's vision includes giving back to others as well as becoming a successful restaurateur. "One of the other dreams I have is to start an after-school program for kids," Mical said. "The program will create an understanding that there is more to life than getting in trouble. Most of the time kids get into trouble due to boredom and lack of attention from someone in their lives. My program will give kids something productive to do as well as inspire future chefs." According to Chef Henderson, one of the main reasons he selected her to receive the scholarship was because of her determination to beat the odds despite her medical setbaks. "It was her mission in life to never give up and pursue a dream to one day earn a culinary degree and open a restaurant. So I've selected Mical as the top candidate for The Chef Jeff Project Scholarship." To learn more about culinary arts programs at one of The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/culinary. For information on how to help your children pay for school through the new Post 9/11 GI Bill, visit http://www.gibill.va.gov or call the Education Office at 678-655-4000.
