Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Lexington students earn top 2009 IHLA awards

The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association Education Foundation’s (IHLAEF) Selection Committee recently announced their 2009 scholarship awardees. Four IHLA awards were granted to Lexington College students.

Two prestigious awards were given to Itezelle Arienza ’10 and Caroline Marry ’10. Arienza is the recipient of The 2009 Hostmark Hospitality Group/Robert J. Cataldo Scholarship for the 2009–2010 academic year--the highest award designated for an IHLA hotel member employee. Marry is the recipient of The 2009 J. Patrick Leahy Connoisseur Scholarship for the 2009–2010 academic year. Arienza and Marry are both pursuing a bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management with a concentration in Hotel/Restaurant Management.

“As one of the top hospitality schools in Chicago, we know how important intelligent, young talent is. It is an honor to have the two largest IHLA scholarships going to Lexington students, and we recognize each of them for their outstanding achievements,” said academic dean of Lexington College Mary Hunt in a press release. “We believe they will continue to make a significant contribution to their profession in the hospitality industry.”

Katie Holtschult ’10 and Jennifer Yerkes ’09 also received scholarship awards for the 2009–2010 academic year. Holtschult is pursuing her bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management with a concentration in Hotel/Restaurant Management. Yerkes is pursuing her bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management with a concentration in Event Planning.

The IHLAEF is the not-for-profit educational arm of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA). Incorporated in 1992, the Foundation has been a primary source of scholarship assistance for college students pursuing degrees in hospitality management in Illinois. The IHLA will salute all of its award recipients along with Stars of the Industry state finalists at the IHLA’s 21st Annual Luncheon Meeting in December at the Fairmont Hotel Chicago.