$30,000 in scholarship gifts handed out to deserving students in agriculture and culinary arts
DOVER, Del. – June 27, 2023 – Mountaire Farms handed out $30,000 in “Farm to Table” scholarships recently to help support graduating seniors who are pursuing careers in agriculture, culinary arts, or related fields that support food production and feeding the world.
This was the first year of the Mountaire Farms WBOC Farm to Table Scholarship program, which selects a deserving high school senior each month from September through June and shares their story on WBOC segments throughout the month. Winning students earn a $2,000 scholarship from Mountaire.
At the year-end banquet last week at the Delaware Agricultural Museum in Dover, DE, students and their families were brought together to celebrate their achievements and hear some inspiring words from Delaware Celebrity Chef Hari Cameron. He congratulated the students on their achievements and recounted his journey to success, emphasizing that “anything is possible with hard work and determination.”
Cameron has earned numerous awards and accolades including James Beard nominations for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic and Rising Star Chef of the Year. He recently competed against Chef Bobby Flay on the Food Network. He has been head chef and/or owner of several restaurants in the Rehoboth Beach area.
“It’s so important to recognize the key role that agriculture and culinary arts play in our society today,” said Phillip Plylar, President of Mountaire Farms. “During COVID, it was those two industries that help keep everyone fed. Shining a light on the important work of the people who grow, raise, prepare, and serve the food we eat each day has been an honor.”
The first-ever Farm to Table Scholarship winners include:
- Reef Ward, of James M. Bennett High School, wants to pursue a degree in Agribusiness at the University of Maryland. He is a certified professional horticulturist and currently serves as a greenhouse and sales representative in Salisbury, MD.
- Savana Geib, of Cambridge South Dorchester High School, wants to study marine biology and continue her studies in culinary arts. She plans to attend Anne Arundel Community College.
- Tabitha Lenhart, of Milford High School, is a member of the National Honor Society, FFA, ASL Club, and the track team. She plans to attend Delaware State University and study animal and poultry science, ultimately pursuing a career in animal genetics and breeding.
- Hunter Holladay, of Indian River High School, serves as FFA President, and is a member of the National Honor Society. He plans to attend Delaware Tech and study livestock veterinary science.
- Ty Beach, of Parkside High School, earned the Academic Achievement Award (2020, 2022) and the President’s Academic Achievement Award (2022, 2023) and graduated Cum Laude this year. He volunteers at soup kitchens and other community events and plans to study business at Wor Wic Community College. He ultimately wants to own his own restaurant.
- Aidan Bell, of Laurel High School, is a member of the National Honor Society, FFA State Delegate Committee Chair, and an athlete who plays varsity football, varsity baseball, and is captain of the varsity wrestling team. Aidan will be attending the University of Delaware where he plans to study Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- Kai Bernard, of Caeser Rodney High School, serves on the Prostart Team, was the Delaware State Prostart State Champion in 2023, and took second place at the National Prostart Invitational in 2023. She wants to attend Walnut Hill College and ultimately be a pastry chef and a bakery owner.
- Cecilia Uebel, of Stephen Decatur High School, a member of the National Honors Society, the National English Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society. She also served as FFA Vice President (2021), and FFA President (2022, 2023). She plans to attend the University of Delaware in the fall and study wildlife ecology and conservation and pursue a career in ag land conservation.
- Kiana Young, of Polytech High School, a Prostart Team Captain who plans to attend the Culinary Institute of America. She wants to study baking and pastry and become a pastry chef.
- Samantha Teoli, of Indian River High School, has worked at a Farm to Table restaurant for three years gaining experience while also being the captain of the girl’s lacrosse team, on the field hockey team, volunteering with the Leo Club, and earning her spot in the National Honor Society. She plans to attend Walnut Hill College and become a head chef and a restaurant owner.
Two overall winners were selected for an additional $5,000 scholarship each last night: Aidan Bell and Samantha Teoli, for their outstanding accomplishments and leadership.
Delaware Deputy Ag Secretary George Class-Peters Jr. reminded each of the students that “not all heroes wear capes,” underlining the potential that each student holds for the future.
About Mountaire
Mountaire® is a registered trademark of Mountaire Corporation. Mountaire Corporation and its affiliates, Mountaire Farms Inc. and Mountaire Farms of Delaware, Inc. (collectively, “Mountaire”), are agricultural food production and processing companies providing work for almost 10,000 people at facilities in Arkansas, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.
