Hospitality Industry Leaders Award Scholarships to Nurture Next Generation of Professionals
The American Experience Foundation (AEF), Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s Educated Eats (RAMW), the Hotel Association of Washington, D.C.’s Washington Hospitality Foundation (HAWDC), and the Washington Area Concierge Association (WACA) came together for an inaugural event at the Westin Washington, DC City Center to honor students and career professionals with foundation scholarships. These scholarships, providing over $70,000 in financial support, complement hands-on learning programs and assist students and professionals in their educational and career journeys.
This May 29 event marked the first collaboration between these hospitality organizations to distribute 25 foundation award scholarships. The scholarships aim to foster industry-wide cohesion and celebrate the next generation of hospitality professionals.
“Working with students is one of the most important things to me,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, Destination DC’s president and CEO. “As we look at our industry, our goal is to attract top talent from all backgrounds and show students there is a lucrative career in hospitality and tourism.”
The scholarship recipients include DC high school students and alumni from the District’s Career Academies of Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary Arts, and Mass Media, as well as college students and young professionals.
Scholarship Recipients
AEF Alumni Scholarship Winners:
* David Iselin Memorial Scholarship for Community Service: Ray Bennett
* Memorial Scholarship for Leadership: Akira Wilson
* Memorial Scholarship for Entrepreneurship: Joe Shymanski
* Memorial Scholarship for Photography & Media: Student Winners
Professional Winners:
* Student Winner: Student Winners
“Washington, DC’s hospitality industry is remarkably supportive and collaborative,” said Claire Carlin, AEF’s executive director. “We recognize that travel and tourism are vital economic engines for our city, and we deeply appreciate our visitors. Our industry flourishes when talented, trained young colleagues join our teams.”
“As the voice of the food service industry in our region, RAMW deeply committed to the development and support of future culinary professionals,” said Shawn Townsend, President & CEO, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. “This inaugural scholarship event represents not only an investment in individual students and professionals but in the sustenance and growth of the regional workforce. We’re thrilled to collaborate with our peers to highlight the vibrant opportunities available in hospitality and ensure a thriving future for the food service sector in Washington, DC.”
“The hospitality industry is a significant source of revenue for the District’s economy,” said Lisa Abrams, Executive Director, Washington Hospitality Foundation. “As such, HAWDC and WHF are dedicated to furthering the education of District youth interested in working in our industry. These scholarships are one way to show our commitment to fostering the next generation of hospitality leaders, by recognizing students who’ve displayed clear interest in our industry through their achievements while in the DCPS National Academy Foundation (NAF) Academies and choosing to study hospitality on a collegiate level.”
