The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) is pleased to announce the 28 recipients of the 2024 Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship. Each student will receive a one-year, $2,500 scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year, totaling $70,000.
“Congratulations to these outstanding students on this well-deserved recognition,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “This investment in their education not only recognizes their hard work and dedication but also underscores our commitment to supporting the leaders of tomorrow. We believe in their potential to make a significant impact and are proud to be part of their academic journey.”
Recipients are chosen by a panel of judges who review each applicant’s academic record, school, and community involvement, recommendations, and a submitted essay. Current employees, their children, and the children of company owners who are PFMA members are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
Named for the parents of former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, the Ridge Scholarship honors Thomas R. Ridge, a member of the food industry for 25 years, and his wife Laura, a great advocate of education for Tom Ridge, his brother David and sister Vikki. PFMA has awarded over $1.3 million to nearly 654 students since introducing the scholarship in 1995. Scholarship funds come from PFMA’s Education Trust and sponsoring PFMA members The GIANT Company, Karns Foods, Rutter’s, Sheetz, and Wawa.
Scholarship recipients are:
- Carl Andreas III of Allentown is attending Penn State Lehigh Valley to study cybersecurity analytics and operations. He is sponsored by PFMA.
- Helayna Baer of Cheswick is attending the University of Pittsburgh to study chemical engineering and French. She is sponsored by Sheetz.
- Alexis Benner of Reedsville is attending Juniata College to study biology. She is sponsored by Rutter’s.
- Mason Bowersox of York is attending Millersville University to study applied engineering occupational safety and environmental health. He is sponsored by Rutter’s.
- Alexia Brubaker of Manchester is attending York College of Pennsylvania to study forensic chemistry. She is sponsored by Rutter’s.
- Laila Buckman of Haymarket, Virginia, is attending Virginia Tech to study wildlife conservation. She is sponsored by PFMA.
- Nancy Colwell of Hayes, Virginia, is attending James Madison University to study accounting. She is sponsored by Wawa.
- Gilbeiry Marte Diaz of Martinsburg, West Virginia, is attending Shepherd University to study nursing. She is sponsored by Rutter’s.
- Lindsay Fittipaldi of Egg Harbor, New Jersey, is attending Quinnipiac University to study criminal justice. She is sponsored by Wawa.
- Noah Gadsby of Bellefonte is attending Penn State to study aerospace engineering. He is sponsored by PFMA.
- Kayla Gaston of Brookville is attending Susquehanna University to study international business economics. She is sponsored by PFMA.
- Jesse Hoopes of Paradise is attending Penn State Berks to study mechanical engineering. He is sponsored by Rutter’s.
- Devon Levin of Philadelphia is attending York College of Pennsylvania to study forensic chemistry. She is sponsored by The GIANT Company.
- Emily Marks of Douglassville is attending Penn State Berks to study psychology. She is sponsored by Wawa.
- Harlie Marks of New Castle is attending Youngstown State University to study dental hygiene. She is sponsored by PFMA.
- Casey Mazur of Middlesex, New Jersey, is attending Albright College to study accounting. He is sponsored by Wawa.
- Peter Murnane of West Chester is attending Penn State to study mechanical engineering. He is sponsored by The GIANT Company.
- Travis Noecker of Hamburg is attending Arcadia University to study biology. He is sponsored by Rutter’s.
- Jessica Palacios of New Market, Virginia, is attending James Madison University to study communication sciences and disorders. She is sponsored by The GIANT Company.
- Riya Patel of Ellicott City, Maryland, is attending the University of Maryland to study public health science. She is sponsored by PFMA.
- Hannah Rill of Red Lion is attending Western Governors University to study elementary education. She is sponsored by Rutter’s.
- Nicholas Santucci of Pittsburgh is attending the University of Pittsburgh to study civil engineering. He is sponsored by Sheetz.
- Emily Sheriff of Landisburg is attending Coastal Carolina University to study marine and coastal environmental science. She is sponsored by Karns.
- Parker Williams of Hanover is attending the University of Richmond to study accounting. He is sponsored by PFMA.
- Ryan Wilson of Mechanicsburg is attending Bloomsburg University to study finance. He is sponsored by The GIANT Company.
- Jena Wood of Kennett Square is attending A.T. Still University to get her Doctor of Health Sciences. She is sponsored by The Giant Company.
- Aubryana Zettlemoyer of Shamokin Dam is attending Lebanon Valley College to study chemistry. She is sponsored by PFMA.
- Sandy Zheng of Spring Grove is attending West Chester University to study biochemistry. She is sponsored by Rutter’s.
