The HRAA scholarships are supported by the proceeds from an annual tour of historically interesting and unique homes in the New Castle County area. The association held its 11th HRAA House Tour last spring.
The total amount of the scholarships awarded has greatly increased since 1986, when three $500 scholarships were awarded to students from New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties. This year, the students received $2,000 each.
Austin, a hotel, restaurant and institutional management major, has worked in a nursing home's kitchen and spends her summers cooking for a day camp and providing baked goods for the fire hall in her hometown. Currently, she's a kitchen helper for a catering company.
"I am undecided as to what I want to go into," Austin says. "Maybe I'll work in a restaurant, own a bed and breakfast or go into hotel management. The great thing about HRIM is that it opens a lot of doors. There are so many opportunities."
Hill, an applied nutrition major, says, "The scholarship gave me more of an incentive to come to Delaware and pursue this field of study." She says she also hopes to remain active in sports and is trying out for the University's track team.
"I want to work with athletes as a nutritionist," she says. "I hope to get a double major in applied nutrition and exercise and sports science."
Since 1986, the House Tour has raised more than $34,000 for 45 student scholarships.
-Heather Miller, AS '98