NRAEF, Women's Foodservice Forum and Wendy's International, Inc. Recognize Top Students with 2009 Reaching for Your Dreams Scholarship

Four Students Honored at the Women's Foodservice Forum Annual Leadership and Development Conference

Chicago, IL- The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) along with its longtime partners Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF) and Wendy's International Inc., were pleased to recognize four outstanding female students at the WFF's Annual Leadership and Development Conference on March 15, 2009, in Dallas, Texas. Through our partnership, these dedicated students received the 2009 Reaching for Your Dreams Scholarship, and each were awarded $2,500 to help finance their education in a restaurant and foodservice course of study.

"We are extremely honored to provide these outstanding women with the additional resources they need to pursue their education, especially in this time of economic challenge. They show a commitment and passion for our industry and are well positioned to succeed in their future careers," said Linda Bacin, Chair of the NRAEF Board of Trustees. "The WFF Annual Leadership and Development Conference is a perfect place for these women to network with top female executives and make invaluable connections in the industry."

The four University of North Texas students who were awarded the 2009 Reaching for Your Dreams Scholarship are:

In addition to receiving the scholarship award, the students also attended the WFF Annual Leadership Development Conference. By participating in workshops and sitting in on panels led by experts and leaders in the industry, these students had an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how the industry works while establishing a firm foundation for their career. The network of more than 1,600 women and men that attend this conference become a rich resource for these scholarships winners throughout their careers.

The NRAEF Scholarship Program's 2009 goal is to award $1.7 million in scholarships to high school and college students and teachers pursuing their education in the restaurant and foodservice industry. These scholarships are made possible through the philanthropic support of individuals and corporations from all sectors of the restaurant, foodservice, hospitality and education industries. Four years after receiving their scholarships, more than 80 percent of NRAEF scholarship recipients are still studying and/or working in the foodservice industry. To learn more about the NRAEF Scholarship Program, please visit www.nraef.org/scholarships or call 800.765.2122 ext. 6738.

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As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) enhances the restaurant industry's service to the public through education, community engagement, and promotion of career opportunities. The restaurant and foodservice industry is comprised of 945,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 13 million employees, making it one of the nation's largest employers. The NRAEF is focused on working with the Association to lead America's restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence and participation by providing the valuable tools and resources needed to educate our current and incoming employees. For more information on the NRAEF, visit www.nraef.org.

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NRAEF, Women's Foodservice Forum and Wendy's International, Inc. awarded four University of North Texas students with 2009 Reaching for Your Dreams Scholarships. Featured left to right are: Bill Hyde, vice chairman, NRAEF Board of Trustees, Hannah Snowden, student, Melissa Portocarrero, student, Kelley Krost, student, Keisha Farrow, student, Frances Wright, vice president, corporate human resources, Wendy's International, Inc., and Carlton Curtis, treasurer, NRAEF Board of Trustees.

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NRAEF, Women's Foodservice Forum and Wendy's International, Inc. Recognize Top Students with 2009 Reaching for Your Dreams Scholarship

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