Born in New Jersey, Isaiah and his family moved to Charlotte seeking better circumstances and a closer proximity to his grandmother. He grew up helping her in the kitchen and credits his grandmother for his love of cooking. Last year, Isaiah was working at Staples on the management track. He was spending a day off at a friend’s house, when his friend accidentally shot him in the eye with a pellet gun. Fortunately, doctors were able to remove the bullet without surgery, but Isaiah was left with very little vision in his right eye. During his recovery, Isaiah’s mother told him about CCSC after meeting several of the School’s students in a training class. She encouraged him to apply, but he procrastinated. A few weeks later, he met a CCSC graduate who again told him about the School. Isaiah took it as a sign and applied. He says the best thing he’s learned is that “patience is a virtue – you can’t rush through everything.” Isaiah is currently interning with an alumnus of the School. His roles as a line cook and at the front of the house allows him to be creative. In addition to only interning a mile away from his house, he hopes to continue helping his family pay the bills. Isaiah is so appreciative to the CRVA, which has covered the cost of his training with CCSC through their student scholarship fund.