The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) announced its scholarship winners during the Florida’s ‘Salute to Excellence’ Awards Luncheon. The luncheon was held on September 12 at this year’s Florida Restaurant and Lodging Show, held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

The Salute to Excellence Awards Luncheon honored more than 40 outstanding ProStart, Lodging Management, and other postsecondary hospitality students from around the state, and awarded $17,000 in cash scholarships to Florida’s top ProStart and Lodging Management Program (LMP) students.

“FRLA’s Educational Foundation provides training for the future generation of hospitality professionals,” says Carol Dover, president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “This foundation gives students the opportunity to learn the skills needed to become successful in the field of hospitality. We are extremely proud of these winners, all of whom truly exemplify the passion and dedication in our industry.”

Britney Matarazzo, from Jupiter High School, was awarded with the Top ProStart Student—Mary J. Brogan Hospitality Scholarship; and Hanibegk Coll, from Miami Beach Senior High School, was awarded with theTop Lodging Management Program Student—LMP Hospitality Scholarship.

Winners of the FRLA Educational Foundation Pineapple Awards included: Dominick Laudia from Culinary Café, West Boca as ProStart Industry Participant; Brenda Doss from George Jenkins High School, Lakeland as ProStart Teacher; Joann Goodman from Marriott Harbour Lake, Orlando as LMP Industry Participant; and Pat Novalis from Mid-Florida Tech, Orlando as LMP Teacher.