The story goes like this: In 1973 Chick-fil-A team member Eddie White dreamed of getting a college education. Thanks to Chick-fil-A Founder Truett Cathy White’s dream and many others were made possible through their annual Remarkable Futures Scholarship.

Since 1973 Chick-fil-A has helped more than 59,000 team members achieve their remarkable futures through a total investment of $92 million in scholarships.

Chick-fil-A Hinesville owner Nick Westbrook said they normally host a major event to honor their yearly winners. But this year the COVID-19 pandemic meant the winners would have to be announced with little fanfare but still lots of local pride. This year’s recipients are Kelly Lachowsky, Brooke Standard and Sierra Griszell-James.

“This scholarship is a blessing for me, number one,” Lachowsky said. “It means a lot because not only is it helping me with college but it’s a token of appreciation from God, and I’m very honored to be working at a place that cares for me and wants me to achieve my dreams. It’s not just about selling chicken sandwiches, it’s about the opportunity I have to make someone smile.”

“Working at Chick-fil-A has been such a blessing,” Standard said. “I have learned so many life skills that I will carry with me into my future nursing career.  The best part of working at Chick-fil-A is all of the people, both fellow team members and guests, that have become like a second family. The family-like environment is one of the many reasons I love working here.” 

“Winning the Remarkable Futures Scholarship shows me I have to constantly strive for what I need and how devoted Chick-fil-A is when it comes to their employees Griszell-James added.

The Chick-fil-A Foundation awarded over $14 million to Chick-fil-A Team Members in 2019 alone. 

Locally Westbrook said they’ve contributed more than $50,000.

“In our three years we have been fortunate to award over $52,000 in scholarships to team members right here in our community,” Westbrook said. “That speaks volumes about the quality young men and women that we have the opportunity to employ and invest in at Chick-fil-A Hinesville. One of my greatest joys as Chick-fil-A Operator is to provide opportunities for driven, ambitious, high-character young people to maximize their potential and impact. The Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarship is such a great way to reward these young people who work so hard to serve others an make a positive impact.  I am so proud of them and I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve with them.”