PirateQ 
The holiday gifts arrived a little early for two Pensacola State culinary arts students who each received $500 scholarships from the Cantonment Rotary Club.
Bob Thomas of the Cantonment Rotary Club awarded Phi Hoang Pham and Tiara Ruggs with the scholarships during a luncheon held Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the Molly McGuire Culinary Dining Room on the Pensacola campus.
The scholarships were godsends for both students – especially Ruggs who plans to eventually own a food truck.
A Mobile, Alabama native, Ruggs is in her first year in the College’s culinary arts program. The retired veteran who served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force said she always had an interest in culinary arts but couldn’t take classes because of her work schedule.
“I want to cook and sell crepes which are fancy but still comfort food,” explained Ruggs who was a medical administrative assistant in the Air Force. “I am so grateful to the Cantonment Rotary Club for this scholarship, it will help me realize my dreams. This is something I’ve really wanted to do for the last 15 to 18 years but was unable to, thank you.”
Pensacola State Culinary Instructor Chef Jimmie Langham thanked the Rotarians for the scholarships.
“The Cantonment Rotary Club has always been a supporter of Pensacola State College and our students. Once again, the club has stepped in and helped two aspiring culinary professionals reach their goals,” Langham said. “Thank you all for the continued support of Pensacola State, our students and our programs.”