As Rashawn Watkins (Culinary) was getting ready to celebrate his graduation, he was dancing and singing along to some music he was listening to.

Now, having graduated, Watkins is going to dance right into a bright future. He’s going on to serve as a cook at a local restaurant called Taphouse.

“I didn’t think I was going to make it,” Watkins said, “but I made it…Hopefully my boys make it next.”

Culinary instructor Ashley Shehan confirmed that Watkins did struggle a little bit when they first met. He was one of her first students and was at 0 percent completion.

“He was very discouraged,” Shehan said.

But once they established a trusting relationship, Watkins’ potential quickly became clear. He opened up to her, showed off a humorous and kind personality, and a powerful drive to succeed.

“Once I told him I was here to help him move forward in life, he opened up a little bit,” she said. “Every day he would come in and ask what he could do…I would give him something and he would do it to 100 percent.”

From there on out, Watkins’ determination carried him across the finish line – and Shehan has no doubt it will take him beyond it too.

“He was engaged, he was active, one of the hardest working culinary students,” she said. “I think no matter what he does, he’ll be successful because he is very driven. He has his eyes on the future.”

For Watkins, leaving Whitney is bittersweet. He’ll miss it here, but he has a bright future ahead of him.

“I don’t want to leave, but I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do,” he said.