Courier December Courier | Page 18

TOURISM CARES Students right here in River City AMONG THE HUNDREDS of tourism professionals attending Travel Exchange in San Antonio will be a baker’s dozen of Tourism Cares scholarship recipients just getting a start in the industry. As part of the Bruce Beckham Scholarship Fund/NTA Mentoring Program, these students will participate in educational sessions and networking events, plus they’ll be paired with mentors who they shadow during business appointments. But you don’t have to be an official mentor to welcome them into the NTA community. Kyle Anderson Anne M. Smith Home state: Ohio College: University of Kentucky Pennsylvania Howard Community College Career aspiration: Work in the cruise industry while making an impact in the travel industry worldwide Career aspiration: Foster tourism education and awareness— locally and globally—while encouraging diversity within the industry Keison Arnold Annette Spencer Georgia Roosevelt University Texas Tarrant County College Career aspiration: Change the world through better education and recruitment in hospitality Career aspiration: Become an event planner, own an event center and continue to further my education Genesea Black-Lanouette Elizabeth Ventura California Humboldt State University Texas Tarrant County College Career aspiration: Work in special event planning and community development Career aspiration: Earn a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, then own and operate my own restaurant business Lewis Crary Nicole Vetti Massachusetts University of North Texas North Carolina Appalachian State University Career aspiration: Apply coursework in sustainability toward my career in wildlife tourism Career aspiration: Make a significant impact as a contributing member of the hospitality and tourism industry Hannah Hiler Ian Wallis Florida University of Central Florida New Jersey Johnson & Wales University Career aspiration: Work as an entertainment executive for a major theme park Career aspiration: Work with Royal Caribbean Cruises in Miami Laura Kissane Rachel Wilson Massachusetts University of Kentucky Texas University of North Texas & CATIE Costa Rica Career aspiration: Event planning and development at a company that has a passion for helping others Career aspiration: Grow my company, Las Olas Travel, in a way that is aligned with the goals of sustainability Linden Pohland Wisconsin Rochester Institute of Technology Career aspiration: Enter the hotel industry in accounting or revenue management and someday become a college professor 14 December 2017 For more information about the Tourism Cares scholarship programs, visit tourismcares.org/ academic-scholarships.