Case Farms, through the J. Leroy Cook Memorial Scholarship Program, has awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships to nine children of Case Farms’ employees. Through the scholarship program, awards are made directly to the student’s designated college or university.

The memorial scholarship program aims to recognize academic excellence and achievement at school and in the community, encourage pursuit of a post-secondary education, and provide financial assistance to qualified individuals. Established in 2005 by Case Farms founder Thomas Shelton, the J. Leroy Cook Memorial Scholarship Program honors long-time Case Farms’ employee Leroy Cook, a former senior vice president of operations at the company. To date, Case Farms has awarded more than $100,000 in college scholarships to children of employees.

“We had an overwhelming response to this year’s scholarship program,” said Kevin Phillips, president and chief operating officer at Case Farms. “The independent selection committee was impressed with the outstanding quality and talent possessed by these students so the company decided to increase the number of scholarships awarded. We are proud to award these nine students with scholarships and congratulate them on their academic success and public service efforts."

The recipients of the 2018 J. Leroy Cook Memorial Scholarships are:

• Andrew Hussar, son of David Hussar at Case Farms’ Canton, OH facility. Andrew will be attending the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at Ohio State University.
• Anthony R. Bishop, son of Tony Bishop at Case Farms’ Goldsboro, NC facility. Anthony is attending The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill majoring in chemistry and minoring in computer science.
• Courtney Reavis, daughter of David Reavis at Case Farms’ Olin, NC facility. Courtney will be attending Catawba College where she plans to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.
• Arman Kriner, son of Curtis Kriner at Case Farms’ corporate facility in Troutman, NC. Arman is currently attending Costal Carolina with plans to transfer to Clemson University to pursue a degree in architecture.
• Kaylyn Halloran, daughter of David Halloran at Case Farms’ Winesburg, OH facility. Kaylyn is currently attending Stark State College pursuing a career in dental hygiene.
• Ashleigh Hickman, daughter of Allen Hickman at Case Farms’ Goldsboro, NC facility. Ashleigh will be attending Meredith College with plans of majoring in social work.
• Pratima Rai, daughter of Indra Maya Rai at Case Farms’ Winesburg, OH facility. Pratima is attending the University of Akron majoring in biomedical engineering.
• Edwin Ruiz, son of Hellin Smarth at Case Farms’ Goldsboro, NC facility. Edwin will be attending East Carolina University majoring in industrial technology.
• Kiowa Looney, son of Jeff Looney at Case Farms’ Winesburg, OH facility. Kiowa will be attending Ashland University majoring in biology and toxicology with minors in chemistry and coaching.

Applicants underwent a competitive process, completing a detailed questionnaire that was evaluated by a scholarship committee of independent professionals outside of Case Farms. Each year, winners are announced at the company’s Service Awards Dinner, an annual banquet recognizing long-tenured employees at each of the Case Farms’ four facilities (Morganton, N.C.; Goldsboro, N.C.; Winesburg, Ohio; and Canton, Ohio).

Source: Case Farms