Epicurean
Charitable Foundation of Las Vegas (ECF) has selected four outstanding Clark
County high school students as scholarship recipients for the 2014 class to
honor National Pay it Forward Day on Thursday, April 24.
“We’re
proud and excited to award scholarships to these gifted students and actively
play a role in changing their lives,” said Jason Shkorupa, ECF president and
vice president of food and beverage for MGM Grand. “I was honored to be able to
personally reveal the announcement to each of the students with our board, and
the overwhelming emotion we all shared during the process reinforced how
important our mission continues to be.”
The
2014 scholarship class is made up of four brilliant young women who will attend
the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in the fall. The students, with a combined
GPA of 4.21, include: Cindy Fuentes, Candace Kozell, Melanie Saucedo and
Jacqueline Vasquez.
Well
on her way to a successful future, Fuentes holds a 4.37 GPA at Northwest Career
and Technical Academy (NWCTA) and plans to study hotel administration at UNLV.
She is a member of the hospitality magnet program, has received certified hotel
front desk training from TIPS Incorporated, completed NWCTA’s hospitality START
(Skills, Tasks and Results Training) Program and is currently gaining hands-on
experience as an intern at Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa. Fuentes was
awarded with the Perfect Attendance Certificate seven times since 2011 and was
named ‘Student of the Month’ in her Spanish class in February.
Kozell
is a multi-talented student with a 4.13 GPA from Southwest Career and Technical
Academy (SWCTA) who plans to pursue a degree in hotel administration at UNLV.
She is studying in the hospitality magnet program at her school and has been a
National Honor Society member since 2012. Kozell has been active with the state
DECA program since 2011 and recently took home third place at the Nevada DECA
State Conference. With an eye for the silver screen, she also serves as a
reporter for the Southwest Shadow, SWCTA’s broadcast network, and was awarded
first place in the ‘Best in Show’ category at the 2013 Las Vegas Broadcasting
Awards.
Boasting
an impressive 4.55 GPA from NWCTA, Saucedo plans to pursue a degree in hotel
administration at UNLV this fall. The academic ace received the Teacher’s
Choice Award at NWCTA in 2010, has earned nine Perfect Attendance Certificates
and received straight A’s from 2011 through 2013. She is also involved with her
school’s hospitality magnet program, is certified in hotel front desk training by
TIPS Incorporated and completed the hospitality START Program. Saucedo was
recognized with the Outstanding Citizenship Award from NWCTA in 2010.
Vasquez
holds a 3.8 GPA at SWCTA and will receive an advanced honors diploma with an
emphasis in culinary arts and hospitality upon graduation this spring. She
plays an active role in the Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA),
serving as chapter secretary, chapter treasurer and member while earning a gold
and silver medal for banner design at the FCCLA State Competitions in 2012 and
2013, respectively. Vasquez is gaining real-world experience as a sous chef for
Coyote Café at SWCTA and gives back to the community by volunteering as a
cheerleading coach for National Youth Sports Nevada.
Founded
in 2001, ECF is comprised of more than 20 of the top food and beverage and
hospitality executives in the city who are dedicated to ensuring scholarships
and unique one-on-one mentorship opportunities to deserving local students
interested in pursuing a career in a related field. Scholarship recipients must
display remarkable academic and extra-curricular prowess, show strong
professional potential and demonstrate the need for financial assistance.
Along
with scholarship monies, all ECF students benefit from the Future Leaders of
Hospitality Program, pairing each with a mentor from the board for the duration
of their education. The mentor provides academic assistance, personal and
professional guidance and invaluable job and internship leads throughout school
and after graduation.
Dress
for Success Southern Nevada will outfit all new and current female ECF
scholarship recipients with professional attire and image consulting for job
interviews throughout Las Vegas, along with providing additional job-readiness
tips and skills for the workplace. ECF students will also receive a full week’s
wardrobe when they are successful in landing their first job. Dress for Success
is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing professional
clothing, employment retention programs and valuable image consulting and
interview skills to financially-underprivileged women seeking successful
careers.
About
Epicurean Charitable Foundation of Las Vegas
Comprised
of more than 20 of Las Vegas’ top food and beverage and hospitality executives,
Epicurean Charitable Foundation of Las Vegas is dedicated to ensuring
scholarships and unique mentorship opportunities to financially-underprivileged
Clark County students passionate about pursuing a career in a related field. To
support the mission, ECF holds a grand annual fundraiser, known as M.E.N.U.S.
(Mentoring and Educating Nevada’s Upcoming Students), featuring an exclusive
dine-around, live entertainment and elaborate amenities. More information may
be found by calling 702.932.5098, visiting www.ecflv.org or following on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @EpicureanLV.
