RALEIGH, N.C. — The NCRLA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA), proudly announces the recipients of its 2025–2026 scholarships. Twelve students across North Carolina have been selected for their dedication to pursuing post-secondary studies in culinary arts, restaurant management, or related fields. These scholarships, totaling $37,500, support the next generation of hospitality professionals and were presented at the virtual 2025 NCRLA Foundation Excellence in Education Awards on June 24, 2025.
“We are honored to support these exceptional students who embody the future of our industry,” said NCRLA President & CEO Lynn Minges. “Their dedication, talent, and passion for hospitality are truly inspiring, and we’re proud to play a role in their educational and professional journeys.”
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
- Davidson & Jones Hotel Corporation Scholarship
- Garrett Robinson (Clayton, NC)
- Mary Margaret Traxler Scholarship
- Lily Reiter (Pinehurst, NC)
- William F. Carl Scholarship
- Haiden Crites (Archdale, NC)
- Hailey Meyers (Winnabow, NC)
- Kayden Uzzle (Deep Run, NC)
- Michel Jimenez Flores (Willow Spring, NC)
- Mikel Weber Scholarship
- Anna Edwards (Southport, NC)
- Jimmy Alfano Scholarship
- Mckenna Shirley (Canton, NC)
- Kaylin Long (Cary, NC)
- Pepsi “Service that Sells” Scholarship
- Ashley Triplett (Morganton, NC)
- LM Restaurants’ Family Scholarship
- Faith Mankin (Garner, NC)
- Meredith Williams (Clayton, NC)
“These scholarships do more than offer financial support—they celebrate the hard work, perseverance, and ambition of students who are committed to shaping the future of the hospitality industry,” added Minges. “We’re excited to watch their growth and the meaningful contributions they’ll make to our community.”
For more information on scholarships or grants distributed by the NCRLA Foundation, click here.
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About NCRLA Foundation
The NCRLA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association, helping to enhance the hospitality industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement, and promotion of career opportunities. The Foundation works to attract, develop, and retain a career-oriented professional workforce for the hospitality industry. For more information, please visit: https://www.ncrla.org/foundation.
NCRLA Foundation awards scholarships in partnership with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. For more information, please visit www.nraef.org.
