DC Hospitality Organizations Award $35,000 to NEXT Generation of Leaders

Washington, DC - NEXTDC, the official nonprofit partner of Destination DC, alongside the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's Educated Eats program and the Washington Area Concierge Association, today honored 29 local recipients at a scholarship ceremony at the Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill. The special event supports the next generation of hospitality, tourism, culinary arts, media and business leaders.

The program reflects the continued collaboration among the three hospitality organizations to distribute scholarships and honorariums, fostering industry-wide support and celebrating students pursuing careers in hospitality, business, media, technology and beyond.

"Working with students is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do," said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, NEXTDC Board of Directors member and president and CEO of Destination DC. "Through NEXTDC, we are helping young people understand more about our industry and perhaps choose to work in our industry. At the same time, we are strengthening Washington, DC's hospitality industry and future workforce."

Since 2015, NEXTDC has awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships and honorariums to Washington, DC high school students and alumni from the District's Career and Technical Education Academies of Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary Arts, Mass Media and Sports Marketing.

• The NEXTDC Scholarship Fund awards $2,500 scholarships and varying honorariums to deserving students and alumni who have demonstrated academic success, leadership and service at school, work and in their communities

2026 NEXTDC Scholarship Awardees:

NEXTDC Scholarships:

• Christian Acosta Padilla, Columbia Heights Educational Campus, 2027
• Enrique Castillo, Coolidge High School, 2026
• JohnTay Taylor*, River Terrace Educational Campus, 2026
• Kennedy Williams, River Terrace Educational Campus, 2026
• Madelyn Torrez, Columbia Heights Educational Campus, 2026
• Shaymaa Juma, Cardozo Education Campus, 2027

NEXTDC Alumni Scholarship:
Ty Monroe*, Coolidge High School, 2024

David Iselin Memorial Scholarship for Community Service:
Promise Parraway, Ballou High School, 2026

Akira Wilson Memorial Scholarship for Entrepreneurship:
Matias Figueroa, Jackson-Reed High School, 2026

Joe Shymanski Memorial Scholarship for Photography & Media Excellence:
Alana Hill*, Ballou High School, 2026

Gladys McClain Memorial Scholarship for Academic Excellence:
Terra Prue, Coolidge High School, 2026

NEXTDC Alumni Honorariums:
• Arrington Ward*, Jackson-Reed High School
• Bryan Montiel*, Columbia Heights Educational Campus
• Darren Heard Jr., Ballou High School
• Jade Stanback, Coolidge High School
• Malijah Jackson*, Ballou High School
• Mattison McDonald*, Coolidge High School

NEXTDC Honorariums:
• Brian Blanco, Coolidge High School
• Heydi Medina Ferman, Coolidge High School
• Maximus Carter, Ballou High School
• Steven Diaz, Columbia Heights Educational Campus

*Previously awarded a NEXTDC Scholarship

New in 2026, the Gladys McClain Memorial Scholarship for Academic Excellence was established in honor of Gladys McClain, a first-generation college student and dedicated educator who lived to be 96 years old. Growing up during segregation, McClain embraced the importance of mentorship, support and access to education. Established by the McClain family, the scholarship honors her lifelong commitment to education and her belief that every student can thrive when given the right opportunities and encouragement.

"Supporting students takes a community, and we are incredibly grateful to the hospitality partners, educators and mentors who help make these opportunities possible," said Claire Carlin, executive director of NEXTDC. "These scholarships are more than financial support. They represent encouragement, access and real-world opportunities for young people exploring their futures. Through the commitment of our industry partners, students are gaining valuable experiences, professional connections and pathways to meaningful careers".

2026 Educated Eats Frans Hagen Scholarship Awardees

Student Winners:
• Zoe Castillo, Jackson Reed High School
• Terrance Williams, Oscar Smith High School
• Thuy Thanh Truc Tang, Colonial Heights High School

College and Culinary School Winners:
• Eleanor Nichols, James Madison University
• Robert Butler, Culinary Institute of America
• Rosediana Mesidor, Wor-Wic Community College

2026 Washington Area Concierge Association Scholarship Awardees
• Briseyda Carolina Siguenza Romero, University of the District of Columbia, 2028
• Abide Kao, Norfolk State University, 2028

"At RAMW, we are proud to champion the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals. This scholarship event is about more than financial support-it's a powerful investment in the people who will shape the future of our industry. We're honored to stand alongside our partners in showcasing the rewarding career pathways that hospitality offers and in building a stronger, more vibrant regional workforce," said Shawn Townsend, President & CEO, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington.

"Hospitality is more than providing service; it is about creating meaningful experiences, building connections and opening doors to lifelong careers. Through these scholarships, we are proud to invest in the next generation of hospitality professionals who will shape our industry's future with passion, creativity and dedication. The hospitality industry offers endless opportunities for growth, leadership and community impact, and we believe education plays a vital role in preparing future leaders for success. The Washington Area Concierge Association continues to support further education and growth through our partnership with NEXTDC," said Jennifer Gironda, President of Washington Area Concierge Association

About NEXTDC
NEXTDC: Network, Educate, Experience and Travel enriches the lives of Washington, DC high school students and alumni from the District's Career Academies of Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary Arts, Mass Media and Sports Marketing through educational opportunities that cultivate the next generation of industry professionals. NEXTDC is the official nonprofit partner of Destination DC, the destination marketing organization for the nation's capital. The NEXTDC scholarship program awards scholarships and honorariums to deserving students and alumni who have demonstrated success, leadership and service at school, work and in their communities. Since 2015, NEXTDC has impacted thousands of young people through scholarships, internships, mentorship opportunities and workforce development initiatives connecting students to Washington, DC's hospitality and tourism industry. Learn more at thenextdc.org.

About Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington
Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is the regional trade association representing restaurants and the foodservice industry in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Founded in 2004, Educated Eats (501(c)(3)) advocates for the value of employment through the restaurant and foodservice industry and is committed to creating the next generation of culinary professionals. Through Educated Eats, RAMW assists public school districts and local community colleges in designing and implementing culinary education programs, provides scholarships to promising culinary students and seeks new partnerships outside of the public school system. Educated Eats scholarships are designed to assist individuals who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to the restaurant industry. Scholarships are provided to both high school students pursuing undergraduate culinary study and to those already active in the restaurant industry seeking opportunities to deepen their skills and education. Learn more at educatedeats.org.

About the Washington Area Concierge Association
The Washington Area Concierge Association (WACA) maintains dynamic relationships with area businesses, cultural institutions and community-based organizations while promoting tourism in the nation's capital. The organization nurtures educational and professional growth for concierges while upholding the highest standards of integrity and ethics. The WACA Memorial Scholarship was established as a long-term commitment to the hospitality and tourism industry to support the development of future hospitality professionals. Learn more at dcwaca.org.