The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has named the 21 recipients of the 2025 Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship, each of whom will receive a one-year, $2,500 award for the 2025-26 academic year.
“Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “We’re proud to support these exceptional students as they pursue their goals. Their drive, talent and determination reflect the very best of our industry’s future, and we’re honored to invest in their success.”
Recipients are chosen by a panel of judges who review each applicant’s academic record, school and community involvement, recommendations and a submitted essay. Current employees, their children and those of company owners who are PFMA members are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
Named for the parents of former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, the scholarship honors Thomas R. Ridge, a member of the food industry for 25 years, and his wife Laura, a great advocate of education for Tom Ridge, his brother, David, and sister, Vikki.
PFMA has awarded more than $1.3 million to about 654 students since introducing the scholarship in 1995. Scholarship funds come from PFMA’s Education Trust and sponsoring PFMA members The Giant Co., Karns Foods, Rutter’s and Sheetz.
Scholarship recipients
- Shelby Zimmerman, Greencastle, Pennsylvania / Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, art education (The Giant Co.)
- Devon Levin, of Philadelphia / West Chester University, biochemistry and chemistry (The Giant Co.)
- Ryan Mozi, Harleysville, Pennsylvania / DeSales University, accounting and history (The Giant Co.)
- Austin Burk, Altoona, Pennsylvania / Pennsylvania State University Altoona, cybersecurity analytics and operations (The Giant Co.)
- Liam McKenzie, Keyser, West Virginia / Allegany College of Maryland, physical therapy (The Giant Co.)
- Emily Sheriff, Landisburg, Pennsylvania / Coastal Carolina University, marine science (Karns Food)
- Bryce Smiley, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania / Gannon University, software engineering (Rutter’s)
- Alexia Brubaker, Manchester, Pennsylvania / York College of Pennsylvania, forensic chemistry (Rutter’s)
- Sandy Zheng, Spring Grove, Pennsylvania / West Chester University, biochemistry and chemistry (Rutter’s)
- Ryan Shonk, Liverpool, Pennsylvania / Penn State Harrisburg, structural design and construction engineering (Rutter’s)
- Maura Bradney, Duncannon, Pennsylvania / Kent State University, public health (Rutter’s)
- Helayna Baer, Cheswick, Pennsylvania / University of Pittsburgh, chemical engineering and French (Sheetz)
- Nicholas Santucci, Pittsburgh / University of Pittsburgh, industrial engineering and American history (Sheetz)
- Jeremiah Ondrasik, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania / Pennsylvania State University, computer science and electrical engineering (Weis Markets)
- Zachary Letso, Patton, Pennsylvania / Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, dentistry (Sheetz)
- Grace Prestin, Brockway, Pennsylvania / Pennsylvania Western University, graphic design and digital media technology (Sheetz)
- Jared Rivera, Lancaster, Pennsylvania / Franklin & Marshall College, computer science (Weis Market)
- Aubryana Zettlemoyer, Shamokin Dam, Pennsylvania / Lebanon Valley College chemistry (Weis Market)
- Trace Cassidy, West Milton, Pennsylvania / Drexel University, music industry (Weis Market)
- Logan Moiles, Martinsburg, West Virginia / Shepherd University, finance and risk management/insurance (Weis Market)
- Abigail Demuth, Hagerstown, Maryland / Shepherd University, elementary education (Sheetz)
[RELATED: PFMA Presents Honor Renamed For Late Leader]