The Linda Nelson Memorial Scholarship is awarded to seven students.
Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes, a convenience store chain in Upstate New York, has awarded Linda Nelson Memorial Scholarships to seven local students.
Established by the late President, Founder & CEO John MacDougall, the award is in memory of Linda Nelson, a spirited Nice N Easy Store Manager who suddenly passed away in 2001, shortly after learning she had cancer. Nelson recognized the need for all individuals to learn and grow and possessed a special drive and determination to guide those she met to reach seemingly unthinkable goals.
The scholarship is designed in Linda’s memory to financially assist students that possess the same qualities that Linda found so important—the desire to learn and grow. Nelson’s memory continues to live on, helping others further their formal education and obtain their career goals and dreams.
Recipients this year are Mark Beach of Canastota, Brittany Correia of Camden, Madison Gregoris of Canastota, Kristen Gwilt of Oneida, Emily Sherwood of Morrisville, Kyle Sterling of Bernhards Bay, and Julia Williamson of Cicero. Each of them received a monetary scholarship that they will use towards their higher education. This year’s scholarship recipients are extremely motivated and, as individuals, are holding themselves to great expectations for their own futures.
Criteria for receiving the scholarship, funded by Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes, include being a current employee of the chain or the son/daughter of a current employee. Applicants must be completing their senior year in high school or have earned a GED certificate and will be attending college, or they may already be enrolled in an accredited college or university. The awards are given annually to students based on their academic achievements and character attributes.
“Linda Nelson always dreamed of having an education and this is a way that we can reward others and honor her dream,” said Fran Duskiewicz, president and CEO of Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes.
According to Elaine MacDougall, “I am truly honored to present the scholarships to these young, energetic individuals and best wishes to each of them. We are thrilled that these individuals have plans to further their education. These recipients have given to Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes over the years, and this is just one way we can give back.”
Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes operates over 75 stores throughout New York State. Executive offices are located in Canastota, N.Y.