The NGA Foundation has announced the 22 recipients of its 2024 scholarship program, provided by donors and affiliate groups.
“The foundation is honored to play a role in advancing the education of the food industry’s next generation of leaders,” said NGA Foundation’s VP Chelsea Matzen. “This year’s recipients demonstrate a passion for serving their communities. We wish them well in their future endeavors.”
The NGAF Scholarship program consists of about 25 scholarships that are awarded annually. These scholarships are one-time awards given in the name of an individual or individuals and are designed to acknowledge and continue the legacy of those within the independent grocery industry.
Students may apply for scholarships beginning each January until the deadline in April. Scholarships are open to full-time enrolled college and post-graduate students with a minimum 2.5 GPA and plans to pursue a career in the independent grocery industry. Scholarships are managed by the NGA Foundation and selected by independent committees of reviewers. Winners are notified in July.
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Nearly all of this year’s scholarship recipients have worked or are currently working in grocery.
“These awards can be a great retention tool for NGA members and the independent grocery community as a whole,” Matzen said.
The recipients of the NGA Foundation’s 2024 scholarships are as follows:
- Asparagus Club ($2,000) – Audrianna Hunt, Jenna Krakomperger, Aldo Martinez, Kenneth Osborn and Kendal Taylor;
- Asparagus Club – Thomas K. Zaucha Award ($2,500) – Kayla Visbeck;
- Bob Richardson Legacy Scholarship ($1,000) – Emily Luebkemann;
- Buehler’s People First Scholarship ($1,000) – Kayleigh Ethington;
- Charlie and Becky Bray Legacy Scholarship ($2,500) – Kyah Ledbetter;
- Della Noce Family Diversity Scholarship ($1,500) – Gabriela Catalan;
- Ecolab Women in Grocery ($2,000) – Nora Kalvik;
- Ed and Helen Buehler Scholarship ($1,000) – Drake Crumley;
- FMS Solutions Holdings Legacy Scholarships – Spencer Drylie ($1,500); Lauren Elwood ($1,500) and Taylor Hughes ($3,000);
- Kimberly Clark Legacy Scholarship ($2,500) – Devin Smerdon;
- Mary Macey Legacy Scholarship ($1,500) – Zoe Ganzman;
- Mondelēz International Legacy Scholarship ($2,500) – Abigail Davidheiser;
- Peter and Jody Larkin Legacy Scholarship ($2,500) – Meredith DeGroot;
- Roger Collins Legacy Scholarship ($1,000) – Olivia Snyder;
- Ronnie Horton Legacy Scholarship ($1,250) – Hannah Christensen and Elijah Schipper; and
- Women Grocers of America ($2,500) – Jenna Krakomperger and Taylor Hughes.
To read more about each of the students and their accomplishments, click here.
About the NGA Foundation
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.
The NGA Foundation seeks to position the grocery industry as an employer of choice for college students and is committed to supporting students planning careers with independent grocers. Since 1990, NGA and its affiliates have awarded more than $1 million in scholarships, providing the resources needed to invest in future leaders.
