Ashton Among 9 Students to Win Scholarships from Cumberland Farms

Narragansett High School student (and after tonight, graduate) Jordan Ashton is among nine talented high school seniors from across Rhode Island awarded a Cumberland Farms Believe and Achieve Scholarship this year.

Each winner will receive $1,000 toward college expenses from the convenience store retailer. This is the fifth consecutive year that Cumberland Farms awarded the scholarships to promising students across its service area.

As part of the company’s Corporate Giving Initiative, the Believe and Achieve Scholarship is open to students entering college and who live within 30 miles of any Cumberland Farms outlet. While the initiative takes academic performance into account, the award also considers the student’s financial need.

Ashton is a Narragansett native, and he is attending Ithaca College in the fall. In addition to Ashton, the 2011 award winners are:

• Jeremy Giguere of Tiverton will attend Massachusetts Institute of Tech.
• Megan Raposa of Tiverton will attend Franklin Pierce University.
• Taylor Violet of Tiverton will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• Amy Cunningham of Exeter will attend Colby College.
• Rose Kenyon of Wakefield will attend George Mason University.
• Emily Lipsitz of North Kingstown is deciding where to attend.
• Emily Cambrola of Warren will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
• Taryn Lagarto of Bristol will attend Bridgewater State College.

“More than ever, today’s high school graduates deserve to attend the college of their dreams without finances standing in the way,” Cumberland Farms President Ari Haseotes said. “We are proud to help these college-bound students ease their costs through our Believe and Achieve scholarship.”

Cumberland Farms is awarding a total of $130,000 in scholarships this year to students across its service area. In addition, the retailer sponsors scores of individual school fundraisers every year, supporting programs for kindergarten students through high school, as part of its corporate giving mission.

Cumberland Farms will again begin accepting Believe and Achieve Scholarship applications for the graduation class of 2012 in October. Eligible high school seniors are encouraged to visit www.cumberlandfarms.com, as well as any Cumberland Farms’ store location for further information.

About Cumberland Farms

Cumberland Farms makes life easier for busy people every day. Its network of convenience stores across 11 states reflects the values of three generations of providing customers with value, convenience and unparalleled service - whether you're buying a cold Chill Zone drink, a hot or iced cup of Farmhouse Blend Coffee, or filling the gas tank. Family owned for over 70 years, Cumberland Farms also has a long heritage of giving back to the communities where it operates. For more information about a Cumberland Farms near you, please visit us at www.CumberlandFarms.com.

Release courtesy of Cumberland Farms. Did your high school student receive a scholarship, and you'd like to let the community know? Feel free to e-mail Local Editor Stephen Greenwell at stephen.greenwell@patch.com.