The New Jersey Food Council’s (NJFC) Educational Development Scholarship Foundation held a virtual reception with the recipients of $97,500 in scholarships this graduation season to further the next generation of business and food industry leaders.
“This is a special celebration of our industry’s students, their dreams and the companies who support them,” said Linda Doherty, president and CEO of the New Jersey Food Council.
“Through the Food Council Scholarship Program, we are proud to invest in the future of the New Jersey food industry and recognize the hardworking students and families who help make our industry stronger every day.”
Since the program began in 2011, the three original scholarships have grown to 31 awards with NJFC and member company sponsorships totaling $97,500.
“We are incredibly proud of this year’s scholarship recipients, selected from an outstanding pool of 177 applicants,” said NJFC Chair Jason Read of Wawa. “These scholarships recognize not only academic excellence, but also the students’ dedication to creating a meaningful impact in their communities, to making a difference in the world and to advancing our industry’s future.”
Doherty noted the scholarship recipients are academic standouts, demonstrate special qualifications and engage in civil and local leadership activities.
The following NJFC 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: Matthew Siegel, James Madison University
- NJFC Founders Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to an employee in a food-related member business or future industry leader.
- Recipient: Jonathan Goldstein, Pennsylvania State University
- NJFC Thomas Infusino Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to an employee in a retail member business.
- Recipient: Eric Shapiro, Lehigh University
- 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: Sean Woods, Sacred Heart University
- NJFC Scholarships – Three 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: Kaylee Capozzi, Louisiana State University; Lilliana Definizio, Ohio State University; and Emily Delvecchio, Rowan University
- NJFC Bill Sumas Emerging Leader Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee in a food-related member business or future industry leader.
- Recipient: Ethan Pachelli, Atlantic Cape Community College
- Acme Markets/Kings Food Markets Scholarships – Three awards of $2,500 each to an employee or family member employed at Acme Markets/Kings Food Markets.
- Recipients: Evelyn Carter, Rowan College at Burlington County; John Michael O’Connor, Rutgers University; and Landis Raso, Drew University
- Cuellar Family ShopRites Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at Cuellar Family ShopRites.
- Recipient: Stephanie Vazques-Dominguez, William Paterson University
- Abe Glass Memorial Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to a team member of Glass Gardens ShopRites.
- Recipient: Tynishia Penn, Strayer University
- Ben Glass Memorial Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to a team member of Glass Gardens ShopRites.
- Recipient: George Picinic, Ramapo College of New Jersey
- Glass Gardens ShopRites Scholarships – Four awards of $2,500 to team members of Glass Gardens ShopRites.
- Recipients: Briana Dumeng, Fairleigh Dickinson University; Jovina Fuentes, Montclair State University; Niko Gargurevich, Bergen Community College; and Yahdani Mejia, Bergen Community College
- Lawrence R. Inserra Memorial Scholarships – An award of $5,000 and two awards of $2,500 each to an employee or family member of Inserra Supermarkets.
- Recipients: Gianna Cuozzo, George Washington University – $5,000; Victoria Cavo, Seton Hall University – $2,500; and Jennier Amaya Mazariego, Ramapo College of New Jersey – $2,500
- Ronald S. and Kathleen Murphy Scholarship – One award 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 School or students from Burlington County Institute of Technology.
- Recipient: Nola Kerfoot, Boston College-Connell School of Nursing
- Robert Powell Memorial Scholarship – One award of $5,000 to an employee or family member of Allegiance Retail Services.
- Recipient: Benjamin Arturi, Bryant University
- QuickChek Corporation Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at QuickChek Corp.
- Recipient: Michelle Woodring, Rutgers University
- Rockin’ Protein Never Settle Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to a full-time or part-time employee, their children or spouses of Murphy’s Fresh Markets or high school seniors at Cherokee, Lenape, Seneca or Shawnee High School or students from Burlington County Institute of Technology.
- Recipient: Jada Wagner, Rutgers University
- Shamrock Farm Fresh Futures Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to high school seniors or college students who are employed by or whose parent, stepparent, legal guardian or grandparent is employed by the Supermarket Retail Partners of NJFC.
- Recipient: Benjamin Arturi, Bryant University
- Wawa – An award of $2,500 to high school seniors or college students who are either: children or spouses of full-time or part-time employees of Wawa.
- Recipient: Adam Hajji, Rowan College at Burlington County
- Whole Foods Market – Four awards of $2,500 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.
- Recipients: Alejandro Herrera, University of Connecticut; Michelle Morales, New York City College of Technology; Kwyne Pugh, Rider University; and Roshaye Clarke, Mercy University
[RELATED: NJFC Honors Industry Leaders At Annual Night Of Distinction]