The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has announced the winners of the 2019 Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship. An independent judging panel selected 21 students based on academic record, school and community involvement, an essay and recommendations from school and work.
“We’re extremely grateful for the member companies who donated to the Ridge Fund Endowment, which
allows us to continue this wonderful scholarship program,” PFMA President & CEO Alex Baloga said.
“Congratulations to this year’s talented and hard-working recipients. We wish them the best of luck as
they continue their educational journey.”
Recipients are sponsored by PFMA member organizations including Wawa, Karns, Sheetz, and
Giant/Martin’s as well as PFMA and the Northwestern PA Food Council (NWPFC). Each scholar receives
between $2,000 and $2,500 for use in their higher education pursuits. In all, $44,000 was distributed
through the program.
Listed below are the 2019 Ridge Scholars with the sponsoring organization, hometown, higher education
institution, and planned major:
- Alexis Anders (sponsored by PFMA member Giant/Martin’s) of Martinsburg, West Virginia, is attending West Virginia University in Morgantown and pursuing Speech Language Pathology.
- Brigette Anders (sponsored by PFMA member Giant/Martin’s) of Martinsburg, West Virginia, is attending West Virginia University in Morgantown and pursuing Forensic Science.
- Logan Bethmann (sponsored by PFMA member Sheetz), of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is attending the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and pursuing Psychology.
- Renee Bonner (sponsored by PFMA) of Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, is attending Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, and pursuing Aeronautical Engineering.
- Ryan Clark (sponsored by PFMA) of Everett, Pennsylvania, is attending Conemaugh School of Nursing in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and pursuing Nursing.
- Angela Eckert (sponsored by PFMA) of Port Carbon, Pennsylvania, is attending King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, and pursuing the Physician Assistant program.
- Emma Evans (sponsored by NWPFC) of Erie, Pennsylvania, is attending Penn State University and pursuing Architecture.
- Shaely M. Gamble (sponsored by PFMA) of Dover, Pennsylvania, is attending Shippensburg University and pursuing Marketing.
- Sam Haibach (sponsored by NWPFC) of Erie, Pennsylvania, is attending Penn State University and pursuing Computer Engineering.
- Kyra Heap (sponsored by PFMA member Giant/Martin’s) of York, Pennsylvania, is attending Washington College and pursuing Biology.
- Samantha Johnson (sponsored by PFMA) of Hackettstown, New Jersey, is attending Centenary University in Hackettstown and pursuing Environmental Science.
- Brandon Kupniewski (sponsored by NWPFC) of Waterford, Pennsylvania, is attending the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and pursuing Medicine.
- Sean Parente (sponsored by PFMA member Sheetz) of Woodstock, Virginia, is attending Caldwell University in Caldwell, New Jersey, and pursuing Biology.
- Anessa Reid (sponsored by PFMA) of Greencastle, Pennsylvania, is attending Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and pursuing Counseling/Psychology.
- Lauren Runkle (sponsored by PFMA member Giant/Martin’s) of Royersford, Pennsylvania, is attending Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, and pursuing Communications.
- Kristine Serafin (sponsored by NWPFC) of Union City, Pennsylvania, is attending Penn State Behrend and pursuing Pre-Medicine/Biology.
- Nathan Sheriff (sponsored by PFMA member Karns) of Landisburg, Pennsylvania, is attending Temple University and pursuing Bioengineering.
- Luke Sicilia (sponsored by PFMA member Wawa) of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, is attending Penn State University and pursuing Business.
- Vivian Smith (sponsored by PFMA member Giant/Martin’s) of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, is attending Dickinson College and pursuing Political Science.
- Sandya Subramanian (sponsored by PFMA) of Bridgewater, New Jersey, is attending Boston University, and pursuing Medical Science.
- Morgan Wynkoop (sponsored by PFMA) of Sigel, Pennsylvania, is attending Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, and pursuing Molecular Biology.
The Ridge Scholarship honors former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge’s father, who was a member of
the food industry for 25 years, and his mother Laura, who was a great advocate of education for Tom
Ridge, his brother David and sister Vikki. PFMA, the Northwestern Pennsylvania Food Council and the
Pittsburgh Association of Manufacturers Representatives hosted dinners through the years to raise
money for the fund, which is now an endowment.
Since 1996, 556 students have received the Ridge Scholarships, totaling more than $1.1 million.
