Kentucky Automatic Merchandising Council awards scholarships to convenience services families
Four students with ties to the convenience services industry will have their college expenses eased thanks to winning scholarships from the Kentucky Automatic Merchandising Council (KAMC).
During its summer board meeting, the board of directors of the Kentucky Automatic Merchandising Council voted to double its scholarship funding from $5,000 to $10,000. This made it possible for the council to award four $2,500 scholarships to four deserving applicants: Kelsey Hoben, Cory Padgett, Adyson Burchett and Caitlin Padgett. The families of all four recipients are active members of the KAMC as convenience services operators or industry suppliers, said Chris Stave on behalf of KAMC.
The recipients were selected from a pool of applications. As a part of the application process, KAMC asked applicants to explain how the pandemic had affected their lives. The council shared excerpts from their applications:
- “While COVID-19 disrupted my college experience in a big way, it also pushed me to grow. It taught me how to adapt, stay focused on long-term goals, and be resourceful even when everything felt uncertain.”
- “As [past KAMC President] Mr. Barsotti put it, the good life is a simple life. I want to live similarly, helping others grow and live life to the fullest. As I always say, no matter how good or bad the day was, it is another day in paradise, even after a brutal graduate course exam.”
- “This experience taught me that even in the hardest times, something positive can come out of struggle. I discovered that my family could be both my support system and my team. We had to communicate better, make sacrifices, and trust each other more than ever before.”
- “Upon returning back to a college campus, I realized how essential human interaction and continuous learning are. I began to love school again, and I eventually found my way to a major that I was incredibly passionate about. This love and passion carried through to the end of my undergraduate degree.”
By easing college expenses for students from operator and supplier families, the scholarships help encourage the next generation to stay connected to the industry and help develop future leaders and skilled professionals who understand convenience services.