May 16, 2018
For Immediate Release
Contact: Suzanne Bixby, Marketing & Communications Director
888-698-2970
Pittsford, NY - The New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) has selected five recipients of 2018 scholarship awards from the Destinations of NYS Travel, Tourism, Hospitality & Culinary College Scholarship Fund.
The recipients were vetted from a pool of 33 students applying from colleges and universities around the state.
This year, the scholarship committee awarded $2,000 each to:
- Elizabeth Grese, studying International Hospitality and Tourism Management at Rochester Institute of Technology.
- Gillian Harla, studying Recreation and Leisure/Tourism Management at SUNY Brockport.
- Yvonne Liddle, studying Tourism Management at Finger Lakes Community College.
- Kaitlyn Peck, studying Event Management at SUNY Delhi.
- Jessica Shultis, studying Culinary Arts Management at SUNY Delhi.
Applicants for the scholarships must be New York State residents enrolled in a New York State-based college or university, pursuing a degree program related to travel, tourism, hospitality, or culinary arts. Each applicant submitted an essay describing their reason for choosing their career path and their goals for the future.
Monies for the scholarship fund are primarily raised through an auction held during NYSTIA's annual “I Love New York" Empire State Tourism Conference. The auction features travel packages and gift items donated by and bid on by professionals in the statewide tourism industry. The scholarship auction held in Schenectady this past April raised an impressive $15,775.00 in donations.
Jill Delaney, NYSTIA President and CEO, says it is always tough to narrow down the qualified applicant pool. “We wish we didn't have to narrow it down from 33 to a small handful of recipients, because there are so many qualified students who deserve recognition for their studies and help with their educational costs. But, because of our fundraising efforts, this year we were able to increase the number of scholarships and the amount of each award, and that was very gratifying."
The application period for the 2019 Destinations of NYS Travel, Tourism, Hospitality & Culinary College Scholarship Fund will open in December 2018. For more information contact NYSTIA at info@nystia.org.
About NYSTIA: The New York State Tourism Industry Association (www.nystia.org) is a 501c6, New York State not-for-profit corporation which represents New York State's tourism industry through collaboration, research, legislative awareness, and exceptional marketing.
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