Above, Franki Bellhouse is flanked by Banning High School Principal Rudy Mendoza and culinary arts teacher Mary McAlpine.

This is part of a series of stories about outstanding graduates of the Class of 2018.  

Franki Bellhouse-Garcia

By Mary McAlpine
Culinary Arts Teacher
Phineas Banning High School

Phineas Banning High School is pleased to announce that graduating senior Franki Bellhouse-Garcia has been awarded two scholarships totaling nearly $130,000 by the Careers through Culinary Arts Programs. He received a full-tuition scholarship of $128,364 from Johnson & Wales University, as well as the $1,500 Richard Grausman Scholarship.

The Careers through Culinary Arts Programs (C-CAP) is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 by cookbook author and educator Richard Grausman. C-CAP has operated for 25 years, helping students and graduates further pursue their education and careers in the Culinary Arts field. One of their ways of helping is the C-CAP Preliminary and Final Competition.

Franki participated in the preliminary competition at the Art Institute in Hollywood on March 3, and the final competition at L.A. Mission College on May 18. These competitions allowed Franki to display his culinary, sanitation, and plate-presentation skills, which he learned during Match Academy Labs at Banning High School. These labs were held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays for three consecutive months. His hard work and perseverance paid off, earning him the opportunity to attend the renowned culinary program at Johnson & Wales University in North Miami, Fla.

He will be the first one in his household to graduate from high school, as well as the first to attend college – a dream which can seem impossible for students in low-income communities.

During his years at Banning, Franki was mentored by culinary arts teacher Mary McAlpine. She devoted her time, energy and money to ensure his success. Franki also received support from his family and Chefs Sal Avila and Heidi Colin, who are graduates of the C-CAP program. We are all proud of Franki for his amazing accomplishment.