The New Jersey Food Council has named the 2021 scholarship winners from the Educational Development Scholarship Foundation. Since the inception of the scholarship program in 2011, the three NJFC scholarships have grown to 21 NJFC and member company scholarships totaling $62,000.
“These scholarships are a rewarding benefit for our members and their families. Every year, our program grows and is strengthened by the strong support of our members who continue to make meaningful contributions to the program. Each scholarship serves as an academic engine for the future generation of our member associates and their families,” said Linda Doherty, president and CEO of the NJFC. “NJFC congratulates this year’s scholarship winners. We are so proud of their academic achievements, and hopeful for their future and all the possibilities.”
The following scholarships were awarded this year by NJFC:
• NJFC Scholarships – Six 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:
Miriam Nicole Ayala Bonilla, ShopRite of Elizabeth, Kean University (Freshman);
Zachary Dougherty, Saker ShopRite, Monmouth University (Junior);
Sarah Drongoski, Somers Point ShopRite, Atlantic Cape Community College (Junior);
Tamara Farrow, Wawa, Stockton University (Junior);
Lina Maria Larrotta Moya, ShopRite of Elizabeth, Kean University (Freshman); and
Matthew Villapiano, Wakefern Food Corp., Stevens Institute of Technology (Freshman).
• Acme Markets Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at Acme Markets.
Recipient: Samantha Taylor, Rutgers University (Sophomore).
• CBA Industries Scholarship – Two awards of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at CBA Industries or an NJFC Retail Food Market.
Recipients:
Haley Fasano, CBA Industries, Marist College (Sophomore); and
Alexander Hodanovich, CBA Industries, Bergen Community College (Freshman).
• Cuellar Family ShopRites Scholarship – An award of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at Cuellar Family ShopRites.
Recipient: Tatiana Carolina Guzman, Hudson County Community College (Freshman).
• Lawrence R. Inserra Memorial Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to an employee or family member of Inserra Supermarkets.
Recipient: Matthew Pluzsik, Ramapo College of NJ (Junior).
• Raymond J. Maniaci Scholarship – An award of $8,000 to a student of St. Joseph’s University who is a food marketing major.
Recipient: Kelly Camperson, St. Joseph’s University (Senior).
• Robert Powell Memorial Scholarship – An award of $5,000 to an employee or family member of Allegiance Retail Services.
Recipient: Connor Aleksandrowicz, Rutgers University (Senior).
• QuickChek Corporation Scholarship – An award of $2,000 to an employee or family member employed at QuickChek Corporation.
Recipient: Anijah Missouri Franklin, Howard University (Freshman).
• 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, Brookdale Community College (Sophomore).
• Wawa Education Scholarships – Two awards of $2,500 to an employee or family member employed at Wawa.
Recipients:
Maxwell Goldman, Stockton University (Sophomore); and
Emily Morton, Moore College of Art & Design (Senior).
• Whole Foods Market – Four awards of $2,500 to a team member employed by Whole Foods Market.
Recipients:
Justin Baraona, Columbia University (Junior);
Evgenii Ignatov, CUNY (Junior);
Erin O’Connor, William Paterson University (Senior); and
Ndey Touray, CUNY (Senior).
The New Jersey Food Council is the Garden State’s preeminent trade association representing almost 400 members serving the retail, wholesale and manufacturing segments of the New Jersey food distribution industry.
