College students Christopher Schreiber and Frank Wilson will have some extra cash for college expenses this fall, thanks to a $2,500 Richard Patrick Henry Hospitality Scholarship each received Tuesday.
The scholarships’ namesake, who died in September of 2008, was a leader in the tourism industry serving four years as general manager of the Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino. He also served as president of the St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association and a member of the governor’s Tourism Advisory Council, the Rotary Club-Mid Isle and American Legion Post 102.
The funds came from the fifth annual St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association and St. Croix Chamber of Commerce Holiday Hope Benefit that was held in December.
Members and officers of the HTA and chamber made the check presentations at the entrance of Divi Casino, beautifully landscaped with palms and lush yellow and red ixora.
Debbie and Chris Schreiber Sr. accepted the check for their son, who is in Charleston, S.C. working at a restaurant and attending the summer term at the College of Charleston. Chris Schreiber said Christopher, majoring in business and hospitality, wants to come back to St. Croix after college and run a restaurant or charter business.
“We hope this investment made in Christopher will pay off,” Chris Schreiber said. “So he can come back and live his dream.”
Julie Printy, general manager of the Palms at Pelican Cove and treasurer of HTA, spoke very highly of Wilson. She said since Wilson was 13 he has worked in a number of departments at the Palms. He is a sophomore studying marketing at Johnson & Wales University in Miami, Fla.
“This was the perfect opportunity for me to win a scholarship,” Wilson said. “I was glad I went for it.”
The 2011 Holiday Hope will be held Dec. 1 at the Palms at Pelican Cove. The event also benefits the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.
The organizations hope to not only give local children a message of hope during the holidays, but to support youth development on a daily basis year-round, while providing educational opportunities for their future, such as the scholarships.