Dora Mendes, of Somerville, immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 11. She learned English, then received her diploma from Somerville High and went on to earn a certificate in word processing from Bunker Hill Community College. In 1999, Dora enrolled in the Professional Chef Training program at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a professional chef. Dora has had to juggle her life; attending school full-time, working part-time and caring for her daughter and her husband, who also attends night school. Dora is a talented, exemplary student who has maintained perfect attendance. She was also one of the first to satisfy the school’s required six extracurricular activities for graduation. She is always going above and beyond; making herself available whenever the school or her fellow classmates need her help. At 28 years old, Dora’s goal is to own her own restaurant.