KFC Foundation selects five local KFC employees as winners of national employee scholarship
This month, 600 hourly restaurant employees at KFC restaurants across the country will receive $1.2 million in college tuition assistance from the Kentucky Fried Chicken Foundation thanks to KFC Franchisees, including the KFC in Highland County.
Through a competitive selection process, 4 local KFC employees have been chosen as winners via the REACH Educational Grant Program™ and will receive $2,000 for the 2015-16 academic year.
The winners are Neil Rowlands, Allyson Boone, James Walker and Kayla Deatley. In addition, Hannah Walker also of the Hillsboro KFC qualified for a $2,500 Rising Star scholarship for her second year at Shawnee State University.
The REACH program helps KFC team members pursue their educational dreams at four-year and two-year institutions, including trade/vocational and graduate schools.
• Neil is a 2015 graduate of Lynchburg Clay High School and will be attending The Ohio State University in the fall. He will be majoring in Biology and plans on attending medical school to become an anesthesiologist.
• Allyson is a 2015 graduate of Hillsboro High School and will be attending The Ohio State University in the fall. She will be majoring in Computer Science and Engineering and plans on working as a software engineer after she graduates.
• James is currently attending Wilmington College and is majoring in Special Education. After graduating he plans on becoming a teacher specializing in students with moderate to intense disabilities.
• Kayla is currently attending Northern Kentucky University and is majoring in Nursing. After graduating she plans on becoming an RN and continuing her education to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
• Hannah is currently attending Shawnee State University and is majoring in Dental Hygiene. Upon graduation she plans practice dental hygiene with a local dentist. This is the second year in a row that Hannah has received a KFC Scholarship.
The program takes inspiration from Colonel Harland D. Sanders and his belief in the importance of hard work, giving back and passion for a job well done. “The KFC Family has a long and rich history of philanthropy,” said Krista Snider, managing director of the Foundation. “We’re proud to be able to honor Colonel Sanders’ legacy and help this inspiring, diverse group of students-- from the single parent finally completing a degree started 15 years earlier to those who are the first in their families to attend college.
About the Foundation
The Kentucky Fried Chicken Foundation, Inc. is an independent 501(c)3 charity. Since 1998, the non-profit has helped one of the world’s most recognizable brands give back. The Foundation has awarded nearly $12 million in scholarships and educational grants to deserving students since 2006. For more on the KFC Foundation and its programs, visit www.KFCFoundation.org.
About KFC
KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain. KFC specializes in Original Recipe®, Extra Crispy™, Kentucky Grilled Chicken® and Extra Crispy™ Strips, Hot Wings™, Go Cups, Famous Bowls, Pot Pies, freshly made chicken sandwiches, biscuits and home-style side items. There are more than 18,000 KFC outlets in more than 115 countries and territories around the world. KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE: YUM.) For more information, visit www.kfc.com. Follow KFC on Facebook (www.facebook.com/KFC) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/kfc).
The Hillsboro KFC restaurant is owned and operated by local franchisee operator Bagshaw Enterprises, Inc.