Chick-fil-A awarded a $25,000 scholarship to an employee who will also study at Regent University, making her the 100th employee to receive this honor.
On Tuesday, Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy surprised Peyton Edwards, a director at the Virginia restaurant after starting as a team member eight years ago.
“Today, Regent University student Peyton Edwards was awarded a $25,000 True Inspiration™ Scholarship by her employer, Chick-fil-A, making her the restaurant’s 100th recipient of the scholarship.” Regent University announced. Social media. The post also included a video of the surprise happening, which included a marching band, cameras, and several Chick-Fil-A employees and customers celebrating the moment.
In addition to the scholarship, Kathy also gave Edwards a new laptop.
“Is this reality or a dream?” she said. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
According to reports CBN NewsThis year, Chick-fil-A will be awarding the True Inspiration Scholarship to 14 team members across the country.
Natalie Chaney, owner and operator of Chick-fil-A at Hilltop in Virginia Beach, said she earned the scholarship because of Edwards’ words of encouragement and dedication to both her studies and work.
“Peyton is a wonderful person and a beloved member of our Chick-fil-A family. Together, our leadership team believes that her qualities are the kind our national office needs to recognize. I felt it,” Cheney said. “Peyton approaches her work with her most dedicated heart. People like that are bound to succeed, and we’re just excited to be a part of that.”
Regent University staff also recognized Edwards’ dedication. “Peyton is a natural leader who seeks to serve first,” said Dr. Josh McMullen, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Servant leadership is a core value that unites all areas of study at Regent University. As Peyton so ably demonstrated with his high GPA and humility, skilled individuals with a people-first approach stand out. I can’t help it.”
Edwards plans to earn a degree in business management and continue working at either a Hilltop store or Chick-fil-A’s corporate office.
Image credit: ©Brad Stallcup/Unsplash
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributor to Christian Headlines and host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast dedicated to sound doctrine and Biblical truth. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Alliance Theological Seminary.
