Ciliena K. Nunes, a recent graduate of the High School of Hospitality and Management in New York, has received a $2,500 scholarship awarded by the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART) and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AHLEF) during the semi-annual CHART Hospitality Training Conference held July 24-27 in New Orleans.

"CHART is committed to helping future generations pursue education in the hospitality industry," said Mike Amos, Franchise Consultant for Perkins & Marie Callender's Inc. and president of CHART. "Our goal is to further advance the hospitality industry as a professional and exciting career choice. Our dedication is evident in that we raised nearly $10,000 for scholarships at this conference's silent auction."

Nunes immigrated to the United States from Trinidad and Tobago when she was six years old. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is a 2010 graduate of the High School of Hospitality and Management in Manhattan. Her high school coursework confirmed her passion for hotel management and fueled her decision to attend the State University of New York-Delhi to pursue a bachelor's degree in hotel and resort management. Her career goal is to become a managing director of a large hotel chain.

Nunes has demonstrated drive and commitment to achieving a college education while practicing her passion for hospitality through her high school's Lodging Management Program (LMP) curriculum. As a member of her high school's senior committee, she helped plan and organize the prom, senior events, and graduation. Through her participation in a "College Now" program funded by Kingsborough Community College, she earned three college credits in event planning. She also participated in a Saturday program at LaGuardia Community College that assisted high school seniors with ACT and SAT preparation, career exploration, and community service.

As a member of the Thomas S. Murphy Boys & Girls Club in Brooklyn, Nunes participated in programs such as the Keystone Group, Youth Empowerment Program, Project Graduate, and Smart Girls. She took part in many community service projects, such as a Candlelight Vigil for Domestic Violence, Breast Cancer Walk, and AIDs Walk. In April 2009, she was nominated for 2009 Youth of the Year, representing the Thomas S. Murphy Clubhouse.

"In choosing Ciliena for this scholarship, the selection committee chose someone who is the epitome of the young people who are up and coming in the hospitality industry," said Faye T. Gayes, CRDE, CHT, MHS, senior vice president of sales for the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). "With her desire to excel and achieve her goals, Ciliena is a prime example of many students who are finding their niche in hospitality and who are going to be great leaders someday."

About the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI)

Established in 1953 as the nonprofit education and training arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), AHLEI's mission is to be the preferred provider of quality resources to educate, develop, and certify hospitality educators, students and professionals worldwide. AHLEI became part of the National Restaurant Association" Training & Certification division in 2017, connecting and leveraging the resources of two organizations that are deeply committed to a vision of career success and upward mobility for current and future hospitality, restaurant, and food service employees.

Elizabeth Johnson
Marketing and Communications Manager
517-318-2359
Educational Institute

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