All of us at Pilot Flying J are so excited to congratulate Team Member Ellie Albertson for being awarded the Live Más Scholarship for Restaurant Employees from the Taco Bell Foundation. Out of more than 700 applicants, Ellie was one of only 77 recipients of this prestigious $10,000 scholarship!
Eighteen-year-old Ellie has been a Team Member at the Taco Bell at our Kearney, Missouri, store for almost two years, and her mother shared with us that she has been working hard to save money for college.
The Taco Bell Foundation, founded in 1992, has awarded more than $72 million in grants and scholarships and impacted the lives of millions. Instead of awarding the scholarship based on grades or athletic success, The Taco Bell Foundation instead chooses to base their decision on the passion and drive that the applicant displays. They ask applicants to send in a short video explaining why they should receive the Live Más Scholarship, and Ellie clearly impressed them!
Ellie has been accepted to Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, to study Computer Science and major in Computer Programming. As part of her submission to the Taco Bell Foundation, she explained that her career goals are to “inspire others to pursue computer science and make it less of an intimidating process.” Pretty impressive goals, if you ask us.
Ellie’s fellow Team Members unveiled the news with a celebration and check presentation, even including her mother in this celebration to help congratulate and recognize Ellie for all of her hard work and dedication.
Ellie, thank you for continuing to embody the qualities that we value here at Pilot Flying J. We are so proud of you for this achievement and wish you the best of luck in your studies at Truman State University!
Read more of Ellie’s story here.
