Chick-fil-A team member awarded $25,000 scholarship
Published 4:31 pm Monday, March 11, 2024
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There are many businesses that support their employees and their future prospects, including education and even the possibility of a different career. One business in Bainbridge that does this is Chick-fil-A, which offers scholarships to employees. One Bainbridge employee, Teri McCord, received a $25,000 scholarship this Monday, as part of Chick-fil-A’s True Inspiration scholarship program, one of 14 that are awarded across the nation.
McCord, who has worked at the Bainbridge location for just over three years, is currently attending Kennesaw State University, with plans to transfer to Florida State and pursue a career in education. Monday’s scholarship awarding was quite the event, with McCord’s family, as well as Chick-fil-A top brass, including Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew T. Cathy, present. Not only was McCord presented with the scholarship, but she was also given a new MacBook as a gift as well.
According to Cathy, the scholarship program was formalized in 1973, with Chick-fil-A having since given out over $191 million in scholarships.
“We’re looking for individuals that are very involved in their community, show a lot of leadership skills,” he said, “very involved in their restaurant as well… as well as their life story, and some of the aspirations, what they want to accomplish. We look for individuals that we think are gonna help make a little more positive impact on the world.”
Cathy stated that Chick-fil-A will give out 14,000 scholarships this year, totaling over $26.4 million.
“It’s fun to be part of something special like this,” Cathy said, “knowing that you’re gonna have such a lasting impact on somebody’s life. It’s an honor and a privilege to be here.”
“Teri is well-deserving, an incredible spirit,” Bainbridge Chick-fil-A owner Kolby Shepherd said. “She’s very kind, every time the guests walk in she just makes them feel loved. She’s somebody you want here all the time.” According to Shepherd, while other employees have received scholarships before, McCord is the first to receive one totaling $25,000.
“I want to say thank you to Kolby Shepherd and Anna Jane Shepherd,” McCord said, “and then, give the biggest ‘Thank you’ to Krystal and Josh Apke. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have excelled the way that I did.” She would go on to thank many other, including her family, the Bainbridge Little Theatre, Bainbirdge High School and First Port City Bank’s Youth leadership Program.
“Every single person in this community has had an impact on getting me here,” she concluded, “and I don’t think I would have been able to do this without this community and how amazing it is.”
