Shoney’s Initiative Benefitting the Boy Scouts of America Learning for Life Navigators Program Has Provided 176 Scholarships Since 2006
Shoney’s makes a difference in the communities it serves every day. Through its sponsorship of a unique scholarship program benefiting the Boy Scouts of America’s Navigators program, the Shoney’s initiative has awarded $536,000 changing lives through 176 scholarships, including ten to Metro Nashville Public School students recently equaling $46,000, for promising high school students in at-risk communities.
The scholarships, administered by the Boy Scouts and sponsored by Shoney’s, is a part of a program for MNPS high school young men and women whose goal is to provide in-school college prep programs culminating with an opportunity to receive a college scholarship.
The Navigators program is managed through the AVID class. AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the achievement gap by preparing all students for college and other postsecondary opportunities.
Through the generosity of Shoney’s and its service and vendor partners since 2006, scholarships have been provided to those who have shown an ability to achieve success while overcoming significant personal obstacles and challenges. The Boy Scouts of America’s Navigators Program honors deserving young achievers by giving them the opportunity to learn more about their future career options and aiding them in developing their personal occupational paths.
Deadrick Thaxton and Juan Gipson, who represented Shoney’s, was joined by Boy Scout representatives: Larry Brown, Scout Executive; Vance Lackey, Director of Field Service; and Marah Vogt, Exploring Executive.
“We are honored to be a partner of AVID. In 2004, Shoney’s and the Boy Scouts formed the Navigators Scholarship program,” said Thaxton. “Our goal was to provide guidance and financial support for AVID students to prepare for their future in college. The first scholarships were given out in 2008, and after today we will have provided 179 students with $536,500 in scholarship funds.”
The following recipients received a one year $1,000 scholarship:
- Lauren Reese
- Merna Sadek
- Karoleen Said
- Marina Abdelnour
Others were awarded a $4,000 scholarship which will be paid over four years:
- Nitya Bhatt
- Jordan Scales
- Nardeen Fayik
Several recipients received the top scholarship of $10,000 payable over four years:
- Maria Farg
- Dina Mikaiel
- Nanch Abdo
“Shoney’s scholarship recipients live by a philosophy of determination,” said Shoney’s Chairman and CEO David Davidpour. “They inspire others to excel and give us hope and confidence in our future. Shoney’s is very excited to continue our partnership with Boy Scouts of America to make dreams a reality for some very deserving future leaders.”
The Middle Tennessee Council continues to serve nearly 27,000 youth and adult volunteers in a 37-county area extending from the Tennessee River to the Upper Cumberland Plateau and Ft Campbell, Kentucky. Visit www.mtcbsa.org for more information.
