Julia Zampini, a Culinary Arts student at Southern Maine Community College, has been awarded a Jean Ginn Marvin Scholarship by the Maine Community College System Board of Trustees.
The scholarship, which covers all tuition and fees for a year, is awarded to second-year Culinary or Hospitality students at SMCC and York County Community College. It honors Jean Ginn Marvin, the innkeeper at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport and a longtime supporter of Maine’s community colleges.
Scholarship recipients must demonstrate leadership skills, a passion in their chosen field, and a deep appreciation for education. Zampini, who will graduate next fall, hopes to travel overseas for an extended period of time after graduation and learn cooking styles in different countries. In time, she hopes to become a culinary arts instructor.
“As a teenager and living on my own, the scholarship is more than helpful,” she said. “I feel so good that my instructors thought highly enough of me to nominate me. I was in tears when I learned I had received the scholarship because I didn’t know how to express my gratitude.”
Zampini is excited about learning, not afraid to take risks, and works patiently with others while maintaining high academic standards, said Maureen LaSalle, chair of the Culinary Arts program.
“As one of her faculty states, ‘Her leadership allows those around her to blossom, and she has the potential to do wonderful things,'” LaSalle said. “Julia’spositive outlook is contagious and we are all so proud of what she has accomplished in the program.”