Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JUNE 2023 58 A point of pride for the AVB BrandSource buying organization is our annual scholarship program. As part of a longstanding effort to support higher education, the group bestows $20,000 in academic achievement awards each spring. The goal of these scholarships is to provide financial assistance to the children of BrandSource members and their employees to help offset higher education expenses. This year, four winners were chosen from dozens of submissions, with each receiving $5,000 toward school expenses this fall. This was the third year eligibility was extended beyond those attending four-year colleges to include students enrolled in tech and trade school programs. The candidates were judged on their academic merit (including GPAs and extracurricular activities), their community involvement, a written essay, and additional criteria such as their responses to follow-up questions and the overall presentation of their submission. The Scholarship Awards are an AVB tradition that has cumulatively provided tens of thousands of dollars over the years to help our group's students achieve their academic goals and career dreams. This year's four scholarship recipients are: • Jillian Abarca Jillian is currently a senior at Gaither High School in Tampa, FL. She is the daughter of Paul Abarca, the senior appliance buyer for BrandSource member Famous Tate Appliance & Bedding Centers in Tampa, FL. Jillian will be heading off to Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA, in the fall to pursue her passion for music therapy. • Riley Richardson Riley Richardson is the daughter of BrandSource members John and Amy Richardson, owners of Richardson Appliance Sales & Service in Harrison, AK. Riley is currently a freshman attending the University of Central Arkansas, where she is majoring in interior design. She plans to turn her passion for design into a career breathing fresh life into interior spaces. • Lyndee Johnson Lyndee Johnson is a freshman at Utah State University in Logan, UT, where she is studying graphic design and visual communi- cations while working for BrandSource member Western Living Furnishings in Vernal, UT as a social media coordinator. She plans to parlay her love for art and design into a career that will allow her to express her creativity for the world to see via multiple media platforms. • Jonathan Wesco II Jonathan Daniel Wesco II is the son of Jonathan and Bethany Wesco of ALLEGRO Home Entertainment in Granger, IN, a member of BrandSource's CE affiliate, ProSource. Jonathan is a home-schooled high school senior and upon graduation plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in aviation science from Texas A&M University. Based on this year's winners and a review of all the applicants, BrandSource can take great pride in its members' next generation. The group's dealers have done an excellent job instilling the same values in their kids that made them successful in business. It shows that hard work, discipline, and resilience not only make great retailers but high-achieving students as well. AVB congratulates each of the 2023 scholarship winners and their families. BRANDSOURCE NAMES 2023 AVB SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS Four high achievers share $20,000 toward tuition B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S Andy Kriege, YSN is General Manager of Communications for AVB/BrandSource, merchandising and marketing co-op for independent appliance, consumer tech and home furnishings dealers RO AVB scholarship winner Jonathan Daniel Wesco II plans to study aviation science at Texas A&M University this fall.

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