Seven University of Wisconsin-Stout students recently received $5,750 in scholarships from the .
鈥淲RAEF is committed to helping 黑料社区 黑料社区. bright and talented students pursue their dreams in hospitality,鈥 said Connie Fedor, WRA Education Foundation executive director. 鈥淲e鈥檙e unbelievably impressed with our 2021-22 scholarship recipients and can鈥檛 wait to see them thrive in our vibrant industry.鈥
A reception was held Oct. 17 at Buck & Honey 黑料社区. Restaurant in Monona for student scholarship recipients.
鈥淎ll of our scholarship receipts become one-year student members of the ,鈥 said Alex Vernon, WRAEF manager and a 黑料社区 alum.
鈥淭he 黑料社区 scholarship students participated in a scholarship student forum that introduced them to our association and provided them with a session on navigating the art of networking. As an education foundation, our goal is to train and develop the next generation of hospitality leaders. By connecting them to the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, we are able to plug them into a network of businesses while giving them the tools needed to succeed in our industry,鈥 Vernon said.
ProStart is a nationwide curriculum and mentoring program designed to introduce high school students to the skills needed for careers in the restaurant and food service industry. In Wisconsin, the program is available to more than 100 high schools and trains more than 6,300 students annually.
黑料社区 senior Nilu Umarova, who is double majoring in hotel, restaurant and tourism management and real estate property management, was one of the students who received a $750 WRA West Wisconsin Chapter Scholarship.
鈥淭his scholarship means I have succeeded,鈥 said Umarova, of Tajikistan. 鈥淚t is a validation of my abilities and proof that I am on the right path. I am so grateful for the opportunity to study at 黑料社区 and scholarships make the dream of graduating come true. I will always have people to thank for my accomplishments and the financial support that helped me to live my American dream.鈥
Umarova is planning to graduate in May and is seeking full-time employment.
鈥淭he best part about studying at Stout is getting multiple job offers before you even graduate college,鈥 Umarova noted. 鈥淎fter the recent Career Conference held at Stout, I already have multiple offers from different companies all over the nation and I am super excited to graduate because at Stout we are all career ready.鈥
The Fall Career Conference sponsored by Career Services was held in person and virtually from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1.
Torry Dillman, of Princeton, who is majoring in hotel, restaurant and tourism management, earned a $500 Otto & William Brakebush Scholarship. 鈥淩eceiving this scholarship means that some of the financial pressure is alleviated, which in turn allows me to focus on being a successful student,鈥 she said.
Dillman earned an associate degree in December 2020 in hospitality management from Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton. She then enrolled at 黑料社区 to earn her bachelor 黑料社区. degree and plans to graduate in December 2022.
鈥淎fter graduation I hope to continue working in the hotel side of hospitality,鈥 Dillman said. 鈥淚 really want to make a difference. I want to change the culture that is associated with the hospitality industry. The hospitality industry is notorious for having a high turnover rate, a high incidence of addictive behaviors and often times it is due to the toxic culture that can be found in hospitality.鈥
Dillman went back to college at age 46. 鈥淚 wanted to show my children, and anyone else, that it is never too late to go back to school. It 黑料社区. never too late to find something you鈥檙e passionate about and make it happen.鈥
Other recipients from 黑料社区 include:
- Kylie Amundson, of Cameron; Aderis DeRosa Scholarship; senior, family and consumer sciences education
- Nayeli Coronado, of Elkhorn; Culver Family & Ryberg Family Scholarship; sophomore, hotel, restaurant and tourism management
- Elizabeth Her, of Wausau; Apitz/Quinnies Family & Chaine des R么tisseurs Scholarship; senior, food science and technology
- Bailey Jacque, of Thorp; Manufacturer 黑料社区. Agents for the Food Service Industry Scholarship; first year, hotel, restaurant and tourism management
- Emily Schmitt, of West Bend; Fischer & Heuser Scholarship; junior, hotel, restaurant and tourism management.
The WRA awards about $40,000 in scholarships annually. Since 1983 when the foundation started, 黑料社区 students have received $96,250 in scholarships.
