| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: | Victoria Sanchez Martinez |
| 8/15/12 | 505-343-9848 | |
| education@nmrestaurants.org |
Hospitality Industry Education Foundation Awards $22,500 in Scholarships
Scholarships Supported by Generous Donations from Local Restaurateurs and Vendors to the Hospitality Industry
One of the most rewarding things we do through the Foundation is support the educational endeavors of the future of our industry. The scholarships we give through the generosity of our New Mexico Restaurant Association members and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Co-Branded Scholarship Program help pave the way for students to attend institutions of higher learning and gain the skills they need to grow and prosper in the restaurant and hospitality industry. We are very proud of the students who applied for our scholarships and congratulate all of the recipients.
The foundation is awarding a total of $22,500 for the 2012-2013 academic year. Scholarships were awarded to graduating high school seniors, as well as those entering their sophomore, junior and senior years in college. Students receiving scholarships come from all parts of New Mexico including Albuquerque, Estancia, Las Cruces, Los Alamos and Rio Rancho.
These scholarships are made possible due to the generosity of NMRA members, as well as support from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. For the eleventh year in a row, we received funds from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s Co-Branded Scholarship Program. This program allows us to double the amount we award in New Mexico.
The scholarship recipients will be recognized at the New Mexico Restaurant Association’s annual Hospitality Industry Awards to be held September 24 at the Hotel Albuquerque. This annual event gathers 500 folks from the restaurant industry in New Mexico to honor the stars of the restaurant industry.
For more information about the Hospitality Industry Education Foundation or the Scholarship Program please contact Victoria Sánchez Martínez at 800-432-0740 or education@nmrestaurants.org.
The scholarship recipients are as follows. The name of their chosen academic institution and the name of the scholarships they received are also indicated.
| Scholarship Recipient | School Attending | Scholarship Received (Donated by) | Recipient Residence |
| Htet Aung | Culinary Institute of America | Michael Allen Fuller Memorial/Taco Box | Albuquerque |
| Maria Hite | New Mexico State University | Frontier/Golden Pride | Estancia |
| Taylor Fresques | New Mexico State University | Frontier/Golden Pride | Las Cruces |
| Octavio Martinez | New Mexico State University | Frontier/Golden Pride | Las Cruces |
| Hannah Taylor | Northern Arizona University | Valencia Flour Mill/De Colores | Los Alamos |
| Sara Green | Central New Mexico Community College | Double Eagle de Mesilla/Church Street Cafe | Rio Rancho |
| Nolan Ruiz | Intl Culinary Schools at the Art Institute | Scalo Northern Italian Grill/Monroe’s Restaurants | Albuquerque |
| David Valdez | New Mexico State University | Frontier and Golden Pride | Las Cruces |
The Hospitality Industry Education Foundation (HIEF) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling the educational mission of the New Mexico Restaurant Association. In addition to administering the ProStart Program, HIEF awards scholarships to students pursuing a degree in the hospitality industry. To learn more about HIEF programs call 1-800-432-0740.
