SOTM - December 2024 Natalia Yondura
We are proud to recognize Natalia Yondura, more commonly known as Nat around here, who is a senior at Pennridge High School and a Baking & Pastry Arts program, as our December 2024 Student of the Month. Nat’s fondness for baking, creativity, and dedication to excellence have made her a leader among her peers. Nat’s love for baking was inspired by her mother, a passion she quickly adopted. From a young age, Nat was drawn to the art of cake decorating and culinary arts, and it was during a 6th-grade tour of UBCTS, that she knew this school would be the perfect fit for her. As a freshman in the Baking Program, she rapidly developed her skills and soon emerged as a standout student and a natural leader.
A shining example of commitment and skill, Nat earned a 2024 SkillsUSA National Gold Medal in the Employment Application Process. This achievement speaks to her professionalism and work ethic, traits reflected in her active participation in the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). In addition to her academic and competition success, Nat regularly volunteers for UBCTS events such as the Open House, Foodie event, Breakfast with Santa, and Food Truck events, demonstrating her dedication to the school community.
Her accomplishments also include earning certifications in ServSafe Manager, Penn State Nutrition, SP2, OSHA 10, and Be There, all of which highlight her preparedness for success in the baking field. Nat’s talents have been consistently honed through her coursework, and her love for making people happy through her craft drives her to strive for excellence. She is part of our cooperative education program and works for John Ferraro, owner of Papa’s Cupcakes, who joins us here tonight.
Nat plans to pursue an associate’s degree in baking at Penn College of Technology. She dreams of working aboard a cruise ship, where she can showcase her talents in a dynamic setting and eventually lead a high-end restaurant or bakery as a head chef. Outside of her academic and culinary pursuits, Nat enjoys spending time with her family, especially paddleboarding.
Many people who have watched Nat persevere and grow, including Mrs. Reese, Mrs. Nyce, and Chef Ott, send their congratulations to her.
We congratulate Natalia Yondura on her incredible achievements and look forward to watching her continued success in the culinary world.
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