The NGA Foundation has announced two new legacy scholarships available to college students pursuing a career in the grocery industry, bringing to 13 the number of scholastic awards offered by the foundation.
The following NGA legacy scholarships are starting this year:
Ronnie Horton Legacy Scholarship
The NGA award is being established by Bill Kasko and Mike Cook of the Frontline Source Group. Kasko and Cook both worked with and were mentored and inspired by Horton, a longtime employee of Texas-based Brookshire Grocery Co. who died in 2003 after a 40-year career with the retailer. As part of the application process, applicants are required to write an essay about a person who inspires them.
“About 40 years ago, I walked into a job interview for a bagger position at a Brookshire’s in Plano, Texas, and was met with the incredible person that was Horton. He was an intimidating presence but also extremely respected among employees and peers,” Kasko said. “Horton instilled many different qualities in me and my fellow grocers, like how working hard is the only way to achieve success and that you must take care of those around you in order to take care of yourself.”
Kasko said he was reminded of Horton’s lasting impact years later when talking with Cook. “Together, we decided to make sure Horton was never forgotten by creating a scholarship fund for young grocery professionals to instill the values in as many students as possible, just as Mr. Horton had done for us,” Kasko said.
Ecolab Women in Grocery Scholarship
The NGA award is sponsored by food safety and public health solution provider Ecolab in support of women pursuing careers in the grocery industry.
“We are proud to partner with the NGA Foundation to promote women pursuing careers in the food retail industry,” said Adam Johnson, VP and general manager of Ecolab Global Food Retail Services. “As part of Ecolab’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion within our business and society, we are focused on helping women gain access to learning and development opportunities to advance and grow their careers.”
Deadline to apply is April 15. Applications for the NGA awards and information about all the NGA Foundation scholarships can be found at nationalgrocers.org.
NGA scholarships are available to rising college freshmen through postgraduate students who are enrolled in a U.S. or four-year-degree-granting institution. Applicants must be majoring in business, food management, IT or other areas of study leading to a career in grocery. Experience in the grocery industry is preferred but not required.
A full list of requirements and answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.
Anybody can fund a legacy scholarship in their own name or the name of an organization or an inspiring person. Legacy funders also may direct their scholarship to a certain group or require applicants to answer additional questions or provide further information.
The NGA Foundation is the nonprofit arm of the National Grocers Association. The foundation provides independent retailers with tools to develop more effective recruiting programs, enhance retention efforts and bolster professional leadership development opportunities for employers.
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