Whiz Kid: CIA Bound, Security Clearance Not Included

Name: Derek Ehrhardt

School: Senior at

Accomplishment: Accepted into the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) – one of the best culinary schools in the world.

Key to Awesomeness: Derek lays it out below.

Academic
“Well when it comes to academics, I get all of my work done and really do well with my grades and I usually get A’s and B’s. I would prefer to be in Culinary Arts much more because that is what I love the best. My goal to success in academics would be not to
disappoint my parents but make them happy and succeed with good grades and make
them proud of me. When it comes to homework, I like to do half of it in school at the end
of class or in my study skills class. I find doing homework at home helps me obtain the
information much better.

Why Culinary:
“I loved Culinary Arts and I knew I wanted to cook since I was little. My grandmother
really influenced me to get into cooking. But when I got into Blue Hills and got into their
Culinary Arts program, I was so happy that I got to further my Culinary Arts future in the
field. I love being on my feet all day and running around the kitchen with orders coming
in and preparing all the food you need to run a kitchen.

Why the CIA and what are you excited about for college?
“I really am so excited about going to the CIA because everyone there loves what I love
even more. Everybody is basically equal. I also want to meet new people and get into
groups where I can make some new friends that I share a future passion of cooking with.

Future Plans:
“I plan on graduating from the CIA and working as a top chef in a restaurant for a few
years. Then hopefully I will be able to open up my own restaurant and run it smoothly
and be successful in what I love to do.

Other Activities:
Basically the only thing I participated in was SkillsUSA and it was really fun. I did not
win a medal but I learned what it was like to be in the competition with other kids with
the same passion. In my free time I volunteer at the Braintree Food Pantry and I been
there for almost five years. I always feel good about myself when I do things for other
people. I also work at Linden Ponds, a retirement community located in Hingham MA
and I have been working there almost a year now.

What I liked best about Blue Hills?
“I loved being in my technical program with all the teachers who taught me a lot about
cooking. Also I liked how on one week it was class and on another week it was Culinary.

Overall I had a good four years at Blue Hills.