Educational Outfitters announces 8 winners of 1st scholarship contest
03 Aug '09
3 min read
Educational Outfitters, a leading provider of school uniforms in the United States and the nation's only franchise network of school uniform retailers, announced they have awarded eight students nationwide for their first annual scholarship contest.
Educational Outfitters' sought to provide opportunities for financial assistance to students they serve in over 30 U.S. markets while engaging them to share their vision for the future. The program was open to K - 12th graders in elementary, middle and high schools across the country, and a total of $10,000 in scholarships were awarded.
"We invited our youth to think outside the box and creatively express ways to bring about lasting change as individuals, as communities, and globally," said company founder, Jamey Elrod. "Our contest theme was how it is ultimately 'Faith, Hope and Love' which remain, and we have been overwhelmed by the faith, hope and love exuded in over 550 student entries." These creative entries included original essays, poetry, songs, paintings, collages, videos, blogs, and websites.
$2000 1st Place Winners Chloe Lay - Portland, MI - Saint Patrick's School Dylan Miller - Lebanon, OH - Middletown Christian School Bea Troxel - Nashville, TN - Christ Presbyterian Academy Noah Loy - Orlando, FL - The Geneva School
$500 Runner Up Winners Rylee Ramirez - Ramona, CA - Ramona Lutheran School Aaron Collet - Westerville, OH - St. Paul Catholic School Mikaela Dalbo - Cary, NC - St. Michael the Archangel Kristian Adams - Kannapolis, NC - Faith Christian
"Our vision is 'partnering with schools and families to advance their missions,' and in this sense we have the awesome privilege of serving the next generation as a business," said Educational Outfitters' CEO, Michael Gallagher. "Our organization has been truly inspired by the youth, and we want to thank every student who participated in this scholarship contest. The lasting change they sought to create has started in us."
Established in 1999 as a single retail store in Tennessee by husband and wife co-founders Brian and Jamey Elrod, Educational Outfitters has since grown into the largest network of retail locations in the U.S. school uniform industry. The company has distinguished itself by building a national team of local entrepreneurs providing local communities the highest level of attention, products and services.
Educational Outfitters currently serves a network of nearly 40 independently-owned retail locations operated by entrepreneurs across the U.S. Each local team serves families and faith-based, private, public and charter schools, and also provides customized team-wear, outerwear, and corporate apparel to corporate clients and children's sports programs.