With both of Will’s parents serving in the military, he is attending LCCS through the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act. Will has worked on the St. Ignace ferries and as a caretaker for a disabled person. He is a talented singer and loves to play Dungeons and Dragons, but most of all he has a talent and passion for cooking. In his own words, “As a super taste tester, which I didn’t know until coming here, I think my palate is leading me to become a professional chef. For instance, my potato leek soup with lots and lots of dill! I am very grateful for how inclusive the program is and how accommodating the staff are. When I started, I was extremely nervous, wondering if I would fit in, but the teachers have been very reassuring and helpful, and they know exactly what they are doing. I think I want to run a restaurant serving fusion cuisine or maybe manage a high-end one.”

Betsy arrived here from Sutherlin, Oregon, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family Life Education. Her real family life includes her husband, Henry Partridge, who is an internet design architect, and three grown kids: Alexander, 31, Grace, 23, Gabriel, 21, and daughter-in-law Katherine, 28. After a career in sewing and fashion design, Betsy is creating a new life in learning culinary excellence. She chose LCCS due to the farm-to-table aspect and hands-on, one-year program, and she states that the chefs, staff, and fellow students are wonderful. She wants to somehow participate in a farm-to-table venue, “bringing people healthy, delicious food in a beautiful and friendly, safe environment”.

Originally from Otisville, Michigan, Maddi attended Lakeville Community Schools and Caro Community Schools before deciding to make the daunting but rewarding step of enrolling in Michigan Virtual Charter Academy. Upon graduation, she enrolled at LSSU in order to attend LCCS to pursue a culinary career. Her dream is to be a really good chef like her grandfather, “Poppy”, who she said was the chef at the restaurant in the Fox Theater in Detroit when it first opened. She likes the small size of the class and how hands-on it is.

Avery is a graduate of Sault Area High School and has been working as a groundskeeper for Northern Transitions, Inc. One thing that immediately comes across about Avery is that he is creative, concise, forthright. When asked about his family: “three sisters, one dog, two households”. His hobbies, interests, and talents: “I can cook and write with various degrees of quality.” What he likes about the LCCS program: “Nice Teachers. Nice students. Great food.” His goals and objectives: “Food journalism looks cool. Might try that.” Where does he think he is headed in life: “I do not know for sure.”

Originally from Petoskey, Michelle attended Baker College before becoming a medical assistant. Thanks to the encouragement of her family….husband Jason, 18-year-old son Paul, and 16-year-old daughter Maggie (not to omit dog Shaggy and cat Munchee, of course)….she is turning an exciting corner in her life to expand her culinary skills toward serving superb food and, if all falls in place, operating a food truck. She has artistic talent in working with acrylics and watercolor and loves archery, fishing, and gardening. Michelle particularly likes the personal and close-knit size of the group at LCCS and learning the techniques and intricacies of garden-to-table food preparation.