Many high school student hesitate to dream big. However, Adam Shoemaker definitely is not one of those students. His passion for cooking and helping others is not going unnoticed. The VHS senior recently won a $4000 college scholarship for his volunteer work in the Northwest Indiana region.
Shoemaker and his mother were surfing the web, in hopes to find college scholarships that were worth applying for. They stumbled across www.DoSomething.org, an organization for young people and their ability to make social change. It tackles a variety of problems, ranging from poverty to global warming. This organization was offering a scholarship to a student who has made a large impact within their community. Shoemaker saw this as a great opportunity to give back to those that need it and entered the competition. Shoemaker made 1,200 Valentine's Day cards for Meals on Wheels, which delivers meals to elderly people and the less fortunate. The cards were delivered to the Meals on Wheels stationed in Merrillville.
"It took 20 hours total and we worked on it for 3 weekends, but our hard work paid off! It was a great way to make an impact at the local level," Shoemaker grinned.
Shoemaker had originally picked this project due to his passion for cooking. He was interested in working with Meals on Wheels because it is what he wants to pursue in college, while also helping people in the community. Shoemaker will be attending the Culinary Institute of America located in Hyde Park, New York, this coming fall. His goal is to work his way up in a restaurant and then open up his own restaurant. Shoemaker has quite a bit of experience working in the restaurant business. His family opened up their family restaurant when he was in 8th grade, Shoe's Pizzeria. He works at both Shoe's and Dish restaurant, here in Valparaiso.
Shoemaker stated, "I've wanted to be a chef since I was 4 years old. It's something I've always wanted to do."
Whether it is in the halls of VHS or New York City, Shoemaker brings his positive attitude with him wherever he goes. With his passion and determination, it is clear that he has a bright future ahead of him.
Shoemaker ended the interview on a positive note, "The fact that I could make Valentine's Day cards for the elderly and less fortunate has taught me the importance of giving back. Through this experience, I realized that it would feel good to do even if I didn't win the scholarship. I could see myself doing charity work throughout college."