LRA Education Foundation Presents its 2022 Scholars

Metairie, LA—The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) Board of Directors, through its Scholarship Fund, awarded $46,000 in scholarships to 18 students. The LRAEF Scholars were honored at “Serving the Future—Celebrating Careers in Hospitality,” March 29, 2022 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 Carmella Bosco, a third-year scholar and is a junior attending Nicholls State University John Folse Culinary Institute. Bosco attended Lakeshore High School and received her ProStart Certificate of Achievement in 2020, and has worked at Spahr’s Seafood Restaurant and her father’s restaurant – Bosco’s Italian Café 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 Pierce Ziebarth, who is attending the Louisiana Culinary Institute. Ziebarth has a passion for the culinary arts and Louisiana seafood instilled in him by his  grandmother, whom he credits with teaching him to cook at the early age of eight years old.
 
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, were given priority. This year’s recipients are:
 
 
Morgan Bouquet, graduate of Lakeshore High School (ProStart); attending Nicholls State University – John Folse Culinary Institute; Third-year recipient
 
Rachel Cannata, attended Benjamin Franklin High School; attending Cornell University
 
Christina Chauffe, attended Lafayette High School; attending University of Louisiana at Lafayette
 
Julian Faust-McKinney, attended Caddo Parish Magnet High School (ProStart); attending Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
 
Zoe Foster, attended Franklin Parish High School; attending Nicholls State University; Second-year recipient
 
Sarah Gassenberger, attended Academy of Our Lady (ProStart); University of Holy Cross; Second-year recipient
 
Isabelle Giangrosso, attended Ursuline Academy; attending University of Holy Cross
 
Rebecca Gilson, attended Fontainebleau High School (ProStart); attending Nicholls State University John Folse Culinary Institute; Second-year recipient
 
Kayla Gremillion, attended Northshore High School (ProStart); attending Nicholls State University John Folse Culinary Institute
 
Jeremy McElveen, attending University of Holy Cross; Second-year recipient
 
Alayna Moore, attended Buckeye High School; attending University of Louisiana at Lafayette
 
Emery Prokasy, attended Mandeville High School; attending University of Louisiana at Lafayette
 
Nishanth Sathyanarayan, attending Delgado Community College
 
Emma Sedgebeer, attended Fontainebleau High School (ProStart); Nicholls State University John Folse Culinary Institute; Second-year recipient
 
Deante Skidmore, attended East St. John High School (ProStart); attending Louisiana Culinary Institute
 
“Recognizing these students for their hard work and dedication is the most rewarding part of my role as Chair of the LRA Education Foundation,” said Craig Dennison, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots and 2022 LRAEF Chair. “These scholarships will help these and future recipients become leaders and innovators in the restaurant and hospitality industry.”