West Allis, WI — Congratulations to the winner of the 2014 Robert W. Hiller Scholarship, a national scholarship established through the Wisconsin Bakers Association (WBA). This year marks the tenth year the award has been given to a student studying in the area of baking/pastry arts.
This year’s recipient is Samantha Dusek from Tacoma, Washington. Dusek is a student at Johnson and Wales University in Denver, CO. She was one of five finalists for the award. The other finalists were Hannah Borochaner, Molly Dion, Marie Feldpausch, and Jacqueline Lyden.
In her essay for the scholarship, Dusek said she has always loved being in the kitchen and loves all types of foods, especially deserts. Her dream was to one day make baking her career. Dusek said her passion is to make people happy by giving them something delicious to enjoy. She loves baking so much, that she was driven to get an education that could fuel her desire to bake.
Dusek enters her second year at Johnson and Wales this fall. She will graduate with the class of 2016 with a degree in Baking and Pastry Arts, along with Food Service Management.
Two WBA board members serve on the Education Committee for the scholarship. Dave Weber of Weber’s Bakery in Lodi, Wis., and Susan Bice of Sweetheart Cakes in Port Washington, Wis. picked Dusek as this year’s winner.
The Robert W. Hiller Scholarship Fund was established to support and encourage people who have demonstrated a passion for a profession in the baking/pastry arts field. A $1,000 scholarship is awarded per academic year to the applicant who can best demonstrate this career commitment.
The Robert W. Hiller Scholarship Fund was established on Nov. 5, 2000, by the members of the WBA in honor of Robert (Bob) and the late Sandy Hiller’s life long commitment to the retail baking industry. The program intends to provide a financial resource for the education of students who will be the future of the baking industry.
“As we continue to receive strong applicants for the award year after year, the education committee has a tough time deciding on a winner,” Schmidt said. “We are amazed at how focused the candidates are on their future career goals.”
WBA Scholarship also available
In addition to the Robert W. Hiller Scholarship, the WBA has the WBA Scholarship available. The Wisconsin Bakers Association’s education committee submitted recommendations to the Board of Governors on Oct. 24, 1983, to implement the WBA Scholarship Program. The first scholarship awards were later presented in 1984. Since then, the WBA has awarded more than $25,000 in WBA Scholarships. This award is available to Wisconsin students.
About the WBA
The WBA is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping members increase their baking and business knowledge, fostering the education of future bakers, keeping members informed about developments in the baking industry and legislative matters affecting them, and representing members’ interests at the state and federal government levels. Organized in 1905, the WBA is made up of retail and wholesale bakeries; multi-unit operators; supermarket bakeries; specialty shops; bakery suppliers; college bakery programs; manufacturers and associate members. There is also a student membership category. Visit www.wibakers.com or www.facebook.com/wibakers for more information. The WBA Member Services Center is located at 2514 S. 102nd St., Suite 100, West Allis, Wis.
Source: Wisconsin Bakers Association (WBA)
