Three employees at the Chick-fil-A on Main Street were surprised with Chick-fil-A’s Leadership Scholarship award on Saturday afternoon.

The three employees — Becca Hobbs, Mi’Kayla Hawk and Liv Lassiter — all received a scholarship for $2,500 for their academic achievement and their work at Chick-fil-A.

Hobbs and Lassiter are currently students at East Carolina University and Liberty University respectively, and Hawk is currently a senior at Gates County High School. All three have been with the franchise for three years or more.

Hobbs is currently a junior at ECU, and she is getting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

“I applied just because Chick-fil-A is really great,” Hobbs said. “I love Chick-fil-A, and I work really hard.”

Having been with Chick-fil-A for so long, she has built great relationships with people she meets and works with.

“I love the people and the food,” Hobbs said.

The scholarship isn’t just limited to those getting an undergraduate degree. Lassiter is working on her graduate degree in marriage and family counseling at Liberty University. She is getting the degree online, so she is able to stay in the area to work at the Main Street location.

“I’ve always known that it was available for me to apply for, and it felt really good to receive it,” Lassiter said. “I received one a few years back as well.”

Lassiter’s excitement and shock were easily noticed when they asked her to come up and receive the award letter.

“I was kind of in shock, but I am super excited,” Lassiter said. “It’s great, because grad school is not cheap.”

The only high school senior to receive the scholarship, Hawk, was happy to put a dent in the cost of college with the scholarship before attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in the fall.
“I applied because I work here, and I needed the money,” Hawk said. “Working at Chick-fil-A helped me with social skills that I needed, because I’m so quiet.”

Hawk plans to study nursing in Greensboro and will pursue a master’s degree immediately after her undergraduate degree.

Nicki Dalton, the owner and operator of the franchise, was more than happy not only to present the scholarships but also to present them to three employees.

“They are hard-working, reliable, nice girls,” Dalton said. “They have been able to balance school, work, family and a social life.”

For Dalton, the most rewarding part of the franchise are her employees.

“I’m passionate about my employees, and what we do is not easy. Customer service isn’t easy, but these girls handle it well,” Dalton said. “I love to reward them for their hard work.”

The scholarship from Chick-fil-A is an investment, according to Dalton.
“They are investing in future doctors and politicians, and they are investing in these future careers that are going to influence the world,” Dalton said.

The Leadership Scholarship award is available to those that are planning to enroll in undergraduate or graduate programs, are current students in post-secondary school or those attending, or planning to attend, a vocational or technical school.

Those receiving the award also have to have an active involvement in community service and have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.