2021 SAWD College Scholarship Winners

Congratulations 2021 SAWD Scholarship Winners

SINCE 2012, THE SOUTHERN HAS AWARDED MORE THAN $100,000 IN

SCHOLARSHIPS to employees and children of its member organizations. Thanks to the Southern Education Fund and the Annual Silent Auction, scholarships are awarded to students who show their creativity by writing an essay on a trend or challenge in the convenience industry. The 2020 essay question was “What should the Federal Government’s role be in regulating age of purchase for many product categories sold in convenience stores such as tobacco, vapor, CBD, and energy?”

Beginning in 2020, we awarded an additional scholarship called the Greg Martin Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was created to celebrate all that Greg did for our members, our businesses, our association and the industry over the last 20+ years. The Greg Martin Memorial Scholarship goes to the top elected entrant with the essay and details of that individual being shared with Greg’s family each year.

Choosing only four of these submissions from our 4-year college applicants and one for the Technical Scholarship was not easy for the scholarship judges! The Southern will be announcing the 2022 winners in June. Best of luck to everyone who has applied!

Alex Ising, son of Brian Ising with H.T. Hackney, is the winner of the 2021 Greg Martin Memorial Scholarship. He is currently attending University of Kentucky. Congratulations, Alex!

Congratulations to Danielle Wagner, winner of the 2021 Southern Scholarship! Danielle is attending the Texas Christian University and is the daughter of Mike Wagner with Core-Mark. Congratulations to Emily Merz, winner of one of the 2021 Southern Scholarships! Emily is attending the University of Dayton and is the daughter of Conni Merz with Turning Point Brands - a division of National Tobacco.

Congratulations to our 2021 Scholarship winner Maci Shelton, daughter of Joseph Shelton, with Grocery Supply Co. She is attending University of Arkansas. Congratulations, Maci!

The winner of our 2021 Technical Scholarship is Courtney Watson, daughter of Ralph Pedde with AMCON. Courtney is currently attending Roane State Community College. Congratulations, Courtney!