Adam

STAGES Spotlight on Adam

Adam in his Internship with a Chef

I graduated from Tampa Bay Tech High School in 2005. They have a

fabulous culinary program. When I was there, the culinary program

would go to culinary competitions and we would do very well. I took

culinary arts for three years.

I started the STAGES program in February 2006. I am leaving STAGES

in May 2008. STAGES helped me get a job as a Prep Cook at USF

Marshall Center. I have been working there for over a year. I get a

raise every year. I hope to become a Chef. I really love being a Prep

Cook. I prep and I cook, therefore I have the best of both worlds.

It is a great thing having my dream come true and I enjoy working

with such great people.

In 2007 and 2008, I was involved in Best Buddies. We fill out an

application and then they match us with a USF student with similar

interests and hobbies.

Best Buddies changed my life and made me a better person.

I enjoy talking to people who enjoy talking to me. My College

Best Buddy is Nim and he is awesome. I enjoy talking to him

because he is a great person and a good listener. We ate lunch on

campus. I enjoyed going to the membership meetings because

you get to meet other college students besides just your Best Buddy.

It is a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.

We meet with the medical students. We ask questions and they give

us answers. Then they ask us questions and we give them answers.

For the new students, you should know Ms. Gigi gets frustrated when

students come in late, so do not be late. Ms. Dora does not have that

problem; she does not get frustrated easily.

I hope after leaving STAGES, I will continue meeting new people and

going out more often.

I can see myself in a couple of years owning my own restaurant and

having a catering business on the side.

Adam

Updated 5/19/08

From the parents: “The STAGES program is essential for the

development of these young adults in order for them to fit in society

and become independent”.