NACS established the scholarship program in 1999 in memory of Jim Yates, founder of E-Z Mart Stores Inc. and 1992-1993 NACS chairman.

NACS scholarship winners were recognized during a reception in their honor on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the NACS Show.

The NACS Scholarship Program, created in memory of Jim Yates and David Erickson, recognizes those who are taking a similar path toward industry leadership through hard work, a commitment to learning, and the potential and determination to influence the industry’s future.

The 2012 scholarship winners are:

    Taylor Castle, Castle’s Corner Corp. (Carey, Idaho)

    Butch Galdeira, Aloha Petroleum, Ltd. dba Aloha Island Mart (Ewa Beach, Hawaii)

    Eric Rush, Quick Chek Corp. (Whitehouse Station, N.J.)

    Megan Scotton, Stripes LLC (Corpus Christi, Texas)

    Jared Jensen, Bobby & Steve’s Auto World (Minneapolis)

    Carolina Peredia, Loaf ’N Jug (Laramie, Wyo.)

    Sylvia Collard, Giant Eagle (Powell, Ohio)

    Christien Huppert, Team Oil Inc. (Spring Valley, Wis.)

    Amanda Richert, Thorntons Inc. (Louisville, K.Y.)

    Robin Druliner, Mountain Empire Oil Co. (Blountville, Tenn.)

    Andrea Kiehl, Giant Eagle, (Indiana, Pa.)

NACS established the scholarship program in 1999 in memory of Jim Yates, founder of E-Z Mart Stores Inc. and 1992-1993 NACS chairman. In 2011, a founding donation from Altria in the name of David Erickson, former CEO of Erickson Oil Products Inc., was created.

Winners receive $3,000 towards the costs of undergraduate career education — community college or university. The scholarship also provides travel, attendance and lodging at the NACS Show.

To be considered for the award, applicants must be employees of a NACS retail member company. They also must be enrolled in undergraduate academic study. Scholarships are one-year awards. Recipients may re-apply each year, for up to four years if they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

The Convenience Store Foundation for Education and Research funds the scholarship program. To make a corporate or individual donation, please visit nacsonline.com/yates.