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Beaumont native Tiffany Tran won Chick-fil-A's $25,000 inaugural Community Scholarship.
Courtesy of Chick-fil-A

I remember applying to every scholarship I could as a college student. Higher education is expensive and so many scholarships go unclaimed each year because people just don't know about them.

But luckily now, companies, organizations, etc. can reach students across the country -- or world -- with posts on social media platforms, putting more eyes on the money they offer.

And that's how Beaumont native Tiffany Tran discovered a savory opportunity.

No clucks, just big bucks

Tran, a West Brook High School and Lamar University graduate, was awarded Chick-fil-A's inaugural $25,000 Community Scholarship.

Now a graduate student at the University of Texas School of Dentistry, Tran was one of only 13 people nationwide to be selected for the award, the company announced Thursday. The money was a portion of the more than $67,000 in scholarships Chick-fil-A has given to Beaumont students so far this year.

Tran's work in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura in 2020 is what set her apart from other applicants, the company said in a news release.

"Tiffany helped her neighbors by preparing meals and donating 400 dental hygiene kits for hurricane victims," the release states.

In a recorded interview for the company, Tran said she's excited to put the scholarship money toward her graduate education.

"With my degree, I hope to become a dentist, and I would like to go back to the Southeast Texas community and serve the general population there and really try to fight the oral health care disparity," she said. "The scholarship represents an opportunity for me to further my education and relieve some of the financial stresses that are associated with school."

However, Chick-fil-A is not the only company or organization to notice Tran's achievements. Last year, she received a $10,000 Live Más scholarship from the Taco Bell Foundation.

Additionally, Tran received the prestigious Lamar University Presidential Scholarship prior to her freshman year at the university; was named a Texas State University System Scholar in 2020; and in August 2022 was awarded a $8,500 fellowship from the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, among other recognitions.

While at Lamar, Tran was a student in the Reaud Honors College, was a founding member of the honors college's Model United Nations Team; served as a university ambassador; and served as president of the Student Government Association, in addition to other student and community organizations.

Tran said that winning the Chick-fil-A Community Scholarship gave her hope in knowing that though she's from a smaller community and transferring from a smaller university, that her hard work has paid off.

"If you work hard for your dreams...you can achieve them," she said.

Well said, Tiffany. Congrats!

The director's choice

We talked a little about student artwork in last week's reporter's notebook, but we support local students in fine arts here, and this student also deserves a spotlight.

Beaumont United High School senior Nathan Martin has won the Stark Museum of Art Director's Choice Award in the Any Way You Slice It: 2023 Juried Student Art Exhibition for his incredible art piece.

Martin won over more than 800 students in Southeast Texas and his piece is now on display at the Stark Museum of Art, located at 712 Green Ave. in Orange. See his piece in the photos above.

If you find yourself there, check it out!

olivia.malick@hearst.com

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