LRA Education Foundation Announces 2023 Scholars

​Metairie, LA—The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) Board of Directors, through its Scholarship Fund, will award $60,000 in scholarships to 22 students. The LRAEF Scholars were honored at “Serving the Future—Celebrating Careers in Hospitality,” March 29, 2023 at Generations Hall in New Orleans.
 
The LRAEF Scholarship Fund was created in 2009 to provide financial support for individuals interested in furthering their education to support a career in the culinary, hospitality, or related industries. Since its inception, the Scholarship Fund has awarded over $600,000 to deserving students.
 
The LRAEF’s most-prestigious award, the Jim Funk Scholarship, is named for the former LRA President & CEO who guided the creation of the LRAEF during his 30 years with the organization. This year’s recipient of the Jim Funk Scholarship is Morgan Boquet. She is a 4th year LRAEF scholar (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), attending the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University, and is a ProStart graduate of Lakeshore High School in Mandeville.
 
The Louisiana Seafood Scholarship was established through a generous gift from the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board and is awarded to a qualified applicant who expresses an interest in cultivating, protecting and promoting Louisiana Seafood. This year’s Louisiana Seafood Scholar is Zoe Foster, who is a 3rd year LRAEF scholarship recipient (2021, 2022, 2023), attending the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University.
 
The LRAEF Scholars are individuals who intend to pursue a career in the restaurant, foodservice, tourism, or hospitality industry. ProStart students, who have or will receive the National ProStart Certificate of Achievement are given top priority. This year’s LRAEF Scholars are:

• Brittany Bennett, graduating from Live Oak High School, will be attending Louisiana Culinary Institute.

 

• Carmella Bosco, a graduate of Lakeshore High School, now attending Nicholls State University.

 

• Rachel Cannata, a graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, attending Cornell University.

 

• Sheroyauna Cauthron, a graduate of Pointe Coupee Central High School, enrolled at Louisiana Culinary Institute.

 

• Danny Dearing, graduating from Northwood High School, will be attending The Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio.

 

• Savannah Flores, graduated from Archbishop Chapelle High School, now enrolled at University of New Orleans.

 

• Sarah Gassenberger, graduated from of the Academy of Our Lady, now enrolled at University of Holy Cross.

 

• Isabelle Giangrosso, a graduate of Ursuline Academy of New Orleans, enrolled at University of Holy Cross.

 

• Rebecca Gilson, graduate of Fontainebleau High School, now attending Nicholls State University.

 

• Hamilton Haverkamp, a graduate of Springfield High School, now attending Louisiana Culinary Institute.

 

• Anthony Holmes, graduating from Plaquemine High School, will be enrolled at Nicholls State University.

 

• Kaleb Johnson, graduating from New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, will be enrolled at The Culinary Institute of America.

 

• Jeremy McElveen, graduate of Stephenson High School, attending the University of Holy Cross.

 

• Jake Mendelson, graduating from A. M. Barbe High School, will be enrolled at Nicholls State University.

 

• Alayna Moore, graduate of Buckeye High School, attending University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

 

• Emery Prokasy, graduate of Mandeville High School, enrolled at University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

 

• Emma Sedgebeer, a graduate of Fontainebleau High School, now attending Nicholls State University.

 

• De’ante Skidmore, graduate of John Curtis Christian School, now enrolled at Louisiana Culinary Institute.

 

• Adelaide Speyrer, graduate of Hahnville High School, enrolled at University of New Orleans.

 

• Abbey Warren, graduate of Ruston High School, enrolled at Nicholls State University

 
 
“Honoring the LRAEF Scholars during Serving the Future is a favorite part about my role as Chair of the LRA Education Foundation,” said LRAEF Chair Jason Jones, Sysco. “Meeting them in person, and hearing how passionate they are about a career in restaurants and hospitality, and then seeing their face light up as they accept their scholarship is so rewarding. These scholars are the future leaders and innovators of our industry.”
 
 
                                                                                                 -30-
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ProStart is a registered trademark of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
 
ProStart is a two-year, culinary management program for high school juniors and seniors with a curriculum designed to teach students culinary techniques as well as restaurant management skills. ProStart is in 58 high schools statewide and more than 2,000 students participate in the program.  
 
The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation exists to enhance the industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement and promotion of career opportunities.
 
The Louisiana Restaurant Association is one of the largest business organizations in the state, representing restaurant operations and related businesses. The restaurant industry in Louisiana is one the state’s largest private employers, providing jobs to 207,700 residents. Restaurants in Louisiana generated sales of $8.9 billion in 2017. Get up-to-date news about the LRA and the restaurant industry from www.lra.org.