EASTERN Culinary Arts Student Awarded Scholarship in Germany

Eastern Center for Arts and Technology () Culinary Arts/Abington High School senior, Jillian Plum, is the recipient of the Congress-Bundestag Vocational Youth Exchange Program Scholarship.

This scholarship provides Jillian the unique opportunity to live and work in Germany for one year after graduation. Jillian is the third EASTERN student to win this prestigious scholarship in the last 10 years.

Jillian applied for this scholarship in January 2012, and was informed on April 9, 2012 of her acceptance.

The application consisted of several essays, three letters of recommendation, an overall GPA of 3.0, and an interview at the Department of Education in Harrisburg.

This program, funded by the United States Congress and the German Bundestag, allows graduating high school seniors to spend a
year in Germany living with a host family, participating in a training or school program, and most importantly, getting hands-on work experience through an internship with a German company.

Jillian will be interviewing for a position in the Hospitality Management industry.
Jillian is also the SkillsUSA Pennsylvania State Officer for 2011 – 2012, EASTERN’s October Student of the Month, and the recipient of the 2011 EASTERN Director’s Award, and the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Award.

At Abington High School, Jillian is a member of the Key Club, in which she
volunteered for the 24-Hour Relay, one of the Citizens and Police Together organization’s undertakings to raise money for Abington youth and community programs.

Jillian is a Cheerleader and she was named the 2010 MVP for her outstanding leadership skills.

She is employed as a store clerk and cake decorator at Weinrich’s Bakery, and as a waitress at the Italian Village Bistro. As a young culinary professional, she is also a junior member of the American Culinary Federation and attends monthly meetings.

“I am honored to be selected for this program. This is an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Jillian. “I plan to represent EASTERN, Abington High School, and the United States in an exceptional manner.”

Jillian was accepted to and offered a scholarship for Penn College of Technology’s Hospitality Management program, all of which has been graciously deferred for one year so that Jillian can take advantage of this opportunity.

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EASTERN is a public school serving students in nine Eastern Montgomery County school districts.

Those districts include Abington, Bryn Athyn, Cheltenham, Hatboro-Horsham, Jenkintown, Lower Moreland, Springfield, Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland. Students benefit from specialized career programs that give them a competitive edge in college or in a career. The campus is at 3075 Terwood Road in Willow Grove.

For more information, please contact Amy Shields, Organizational Advancement Director, at 215-784-4806, or visit the school’s website at www.eastech.org. Like Us? Become a fan on Facebook – www.Facebook.com/EasternCenter.