PUNXSUTAWNEY– Butler County students have completed requirements for graduation from Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Academy of Culinary Arts, including a four-month paid externship. They are:

Miriah Kerr of Hilliards, daughter of Inga and Randy Kerr and a 2021 graduate of Moniteau Junior-Senior High School. While at the Academy, she received a Sanitation Certificate, Title IX Certificate, Allergy Awareness Certificate, Egg Science Certificate, Nutrition Certificate, Supervisor Management Certificate and ServSafe Certificate. She also completed a Cheesecyclopedia online course. She completed her externship at Penn State University in State College.

Autumn Faith Maerkle of Cranberry Township, daughter of Carolyn Maerkle and Bill Maerkle and a 2021 graduate of Oakland Catholic High School. While at the Academy, she received an award for perfect attendance and was on the Culinary Dean’s List. She completed her externship at Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms, S.C.

Kirstin Prager of Cabot, daughter of Angie Walher and Jason Prager and a 2021 graduate of Knoch High School. She completed her externship at Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms, S.C.

The Academy, located in Punxsutawney, is fully accredited by the American Culinary Federation, the maximum accreditation possible for culinary programs in the United States.

Students at the Academy can also extend their study with a 16-month baking and pastry arts program, which became a stand-alone program in 2019 to allow for additional growth in this program.

Academy of Culinary Arts graduates of either the Culinary Arts program or the Baking and Pastry Arts program are eligible to complete an associate degree in Culinary Arts with an additional semester of study at IUP Punxsutawney. Students who successfully complete the Culinary Arts or the Baking and Pastry Arts program also have the option to apply up to 38 credits toward a bachelor of science degree in hospitality management at IUP or 32 credits toward a bachelor of science degree in nutrition. Admission into the nutrition track is guaranteed for culinary graduates.