The New Jersey Food Council’s (NJFC) Educational Development Scholarship Foundation hosted a virtual reception with the winners of $108,000 in scholarships this graduation season.
“At this reception, we proudly honor the remarkable achievements and dedication of those who are going to shape the future of business and food marketing in New Jersey,” said NJFC President and CEO Linda Doherty. “This educational journey and entry into our indispensable industry are something we are immensely proud to support.”
Since the inception of the scholarship program in 2011, the three original NJFC scholarships have grown to 33 awards with NJFC and member company scholarships totaling $108,000.
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“These scholarships are a reward for some outstanding members of our organizations who were chosen because of their unique skills, amazing accomplishments and efforts to make a difference in our communities and business world,” said NJFC Vice Chair Jason Read of Wawa.
“We are proud to provide scholarships that act as a catalyst for the educational advancement of our member associates and their families. With the support of all NJFC members, our scholarship program continues to successfully grow each year, allowing us to help advance even more future food industry trailblazers.”
Doherty noted the scholarship recipients are academic standouts, demonstrate special qualifications and engage in civil and local leadership activities.
The following scholarships were awarded this year:
- NJFC President’s Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to a high school senior or college student who is a family member of a member company or employed by NJFC.
- Recipient: Nicolette Sasso, University of South Carolina
- NJFC Founders Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to an employee in a food related member business or future industry leader.
- Recipient: Matthew Zmuda, Rowan University
- NJFC Thomas Infusino Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to an employee in a retail member business.
- Recipient: Ryan McHale, Villanova
- NJFC Student Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to a graduating high school or college student who is a family member of a full-time employee of a member company, NJFC employee or part-time student employee of a member company.
- Recipient: Joshua Siegel, James Madison University
- NJFC Scholarships – Four awards of $2,500 to a graduating high school senior or college student who is working for a member company and who is pursuing food policy, government affairs or a food industry-related career, or an NJFC employee.
- Recipients: Angelina Benitez, Seton Hall University; Victoria McCloskey, The College of New Jersey; Hannah Speigel, Camden County College; and Allison Sproul, University of Notre Dame.
- Acme Markets/Kings Food Markets Scholarship – Three awards of $2,500 each to an employee or family member employed at Acme Markets/Kings Food Markets.
- Recipients: Deangelo Coris, Raritan Valley Community College; Marissa Blankenbiller, Rider University; and Joseph Whitmore, Ramapo College of New Jersey.
- Cuellar Family ShopRites Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at Cuellar Family ShopRites.
- Recipient: Bianca Isabella Giordano, Montclair State University
- Abe Glass Memorial Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to a team member of Glass Gardens ShopRites.
- Recipient: Shelby Nordstrom, Barnard College of Columbia University
- Ben Glass Memorial Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to a team member of Glass Gardens ShopRites.
- Recipient: Veronica Ilinska, Binghamton University
- Glass Gardens ShopRites Scholarship – Four awards of $2,500 to team members of Glass Gardens ShopRites.
- Recipients: Jocelyn Marquez, Bergen Community College; Sebastian Pulgarin Londono, Rutgers University of New Brunswick; Matthew Dixon, Ramapo College of New Jersey; and Conor Patrick King, SUNY Delhi.
- Lawrence R. Inserra Memorial Scholarship – An award of $5,000 and two awards of $2,500 each to an employee or family member of Inserra Supermarkets.
- Recipients:
- Thomas Paolillo, Stevens institute of Technology- $5,000
- Robert Gore, Ramapo College of New Jersey- $2,500
- Victoria Cavo, Seton Hall University – $2,500
- Recipients:
- Raymond J. Maniaci Scholarship – An award of $8,000 to a student of St. Joseph’s University who is a food marketing major.
- Recipient: Alec Babiak, St. Joseph’s University
- Ronald S. and Kathleen Murphy Scholarship – Two awards of $2,500 to an employee or children and spouses of employees of Murphy’s Fresh Markets, high school seniors at Cherokee, Lenape, Seneca, Shawnee high schools or students from Burlington County Institute of Technology.
- Recipient: Charles Redford III, Walnut Hill College
- Robert Powell Memorial Scholarship – Two awards of $2,500 to an employee or family member of Allegiance Retail Services.
- Recipients: Jordyn Aleksandrowicz, William Paterson University; and Arianna Guerreiro, Pace University
- QuickChek Corporation Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at QuickChek Corporation.
- Recipient: Jason Sparrow, Stevens Technical Institute
- Grace Scaduto Memorial Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to a New Jersey resident student or spouse/family member who is employed by Food Circus Supermarkets.
- Recipient: Selene Ramirez, Monmouth University
- Wawa Education Scholarships – Two awards of $2,500 each to an employee or family member employed at Wawa.
- Recipients: Michael Moore Funcheon, Rowan University; and Casey Mazur, Albright College.
- Whole Foods Market – Four awards of $2,500 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.
- Recipients: Aminata Baragi, NYC College of Technology; Yash Gupta, University of Maryland, College Park; David Lugo, Mercy University; and Christelle Seignon, Fortis Institute.
