Working at Chick-fil-A scored local students scholarships
SPRINGFIELD » A handful of team members at Chick-filA restaurants in Ridley and Springfield gathered at the Springfield Park location Friday for a valuable surprise. Each team member was awarded a $2,500 Chick-filA Leadership Scholarship toward their higher education.
Anna Si of Springfield, a student at Delaware County Community College, Amrit Pabla of Upper Darby, a student at Upper Darby High School, Elisha Abney of Collingdale, a student at LaSalle University, Karla Barnes of Chester, a student at Cardinal O’Hara High School, and Emma Flory of Ridley Township, a student at Ridley High School, gathered at tables inside the restaurant to talk about their much-appreciated awards.
“One of my goals is to come out of college debt-free so this scholarship is very helpful,” commented Anna Si, who has been a team member at Chick-fil-A for three years and is working toward a nursing degree at Delaware County Community College.
“Having the opportunity to apply for a scholarship is one of the reasons that I wanted to work here,” remarked Amrit Pabla.
“The scholarship is available to apply for every year so it kept me determined and working hard so that I could keep trying for it,” stated Elisha Abney, who is studying business at LaSalle University and hopes to eventually have a career as a lawyer.
The scholarship recipients, all employees of Chickfil-A, applied for the scholarships earlier this year by writing an essay, getting a letter of recommendation from a manager who attested to their professional achievement, positive work ethic and good character traits, attaining an academic transcript to show that they had a grade point average above 2.5, demonstrating financial need and proving that they have been involved in community service for at least 12 months prior to their application.
“People are the most important part of our business,” owner Gene Ontjes said Friday afternoon at the scholarship presentation. “We like to put our money where our mouth is by awarding scholarships for education. At Chickfil-A, we value education and family. In addition to awarding scholarships, we give our team members off on Sunday so they have time to study and spend quality time with their families.”
The students are eligible to apply again each year for the $2,500 Chickfil-A Leadership Scholarship if they are currently enrolled or planning to enroll in a postsecondary undergraduate or graduate program of study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school. A Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Scholarship of up to $25,000 is also available through application by employees who meet certain criteria.
“I feel like I applied for this so long ago, in like January, so I was really excited and surprised to find out today that I was going to receive this scholarship,” said an exuberant Karla Barnes, who will begin Neumann University in the fall to study criminal justice. “This will really help me a lot.”
“One of the best parts of my job is when we get to award these scholarships,” remarked Marsha June, senior director of human resources. June has worked at Chick-fil-A for 33 years and was smiling proudly throughout the May scholarship presentation. “I am just so happy for these girls. They are all such wonderful people and this is one of the best things that we can give them in return for all that they do for us.”
The Chick-fil-A Springfield
“One of the best parts of my job is when we get to award these scholarships. I am just so happy for these girls. They are all such wonderful people and this is one of the best things that we can give them in return for all that they do for us.” — Marsha June, senior director of human resources
Park is located at 805 Baltimore Pike, Springfield. The Chick-fil-A Ridley is at 405 MacDade Blvd., Folsom.