Baking her way towards a dream
Student of the Week: Paola Cantu
STC is the perfect fit. I’m close to home and the classes and instructors are even better. They really take the time to make sure we’re learning what we need for the real world.
Paola Cantu, 21, is proving that no distance is too great when it comes to following your dreams. Cantu commutes to South Texas College Mid-Valley and Pecan Campuses from Matamoros, Mexico to pursue her passion for baking and building a future in the culinary world.
Cantu is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts with a specialization in Baking and Pastry Arts.
“I had never cooked in my life, but ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to be a chef,” she said. “When I started studying Culinary Arts it just felt right. I had found what I was meant to do.”
Cantu first began her college journey in Monterrey, Mexico where she enrolled in a culinary program. However, she soon realized that the costs were too high and that being far from home made it difficult to continue. After researching options closer to home, she discovered STC’s Culinary Arts program.
“STC is the perfect fit,” she said. “I’m close to home and the classes and instructors are even better. They really take the time to make sure we’re learning what we need for the real world.”
Her passion lies in baking, especially bread, and she hopes one day to open her own bakery.
“I want to have a small business here in the Rio Grande Valley where I can bake fresh bread every day to share with the community,” she said.
Cantu says what she appreciates the most about STC is the quality of instruction and supportive environment.
“My favorite part of STC is that the classes are flexible and the instructors are industry professionals and know what they’re doing,” she said. “This program has taught me how to be more organized, focused and has given me many more skills that will help me in my culinary career.”
Despite the challenge of crossing the border and commuting between campuses, Cantu remains steadfast in her commitment to finishing her degree.
“The hardest part is the commute back and forth,” she said. “But I’ll do it for my future. Every long drive is worth it because I know what I’m working towards.”
As she continues her journey, Cantu serves as an example of perseverance and passion, proving that with hard work and dedication, any dream is within reach.