Scholarships Awarded to Florida High School Students Participating in Hospitality and Tourism Management Competition

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 7, 2018) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation (FRLAEF) is proud to congratulate the winners of the 15th Annual Hospitality and Tourism Management Program Competition (HTMP) which was held Monday, March 5 and Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando.

A total of 11 schools participated in the competition with 3 schools winning top awards throughout the day’s events. Scholarships from Johnson & Wales University as well as the FRLAEF were distributed to the winning schools. All winners and participants are a part of Florida’s HTMP program, the official industry-recognized curriculum to prepare students for roles in the hotel industry and beyond. More than 2,000 students from across the state are enrolled in the program. The three main event competitions included: the Hotel Operations Competition, Hospitality Project Competition and Knowledge Bowl Competition.

Miami Beach Senior High School won first place in the overall competition. Winter Park High School took home second place in the overall competition, with Osceola High School placing third.

“These talented students represent the future of Florida’s hospitality industry and we are extremely proud to help support their education by awarding scholarships. We are passionate about investing in these inspiring, young leaders of the trade and are thrilled to celebrate their incredible talents and pursuit of successful careers,” said Carol Dover, President & CEO of the FRLA.

Overall Competition Winners
1st Place:     Miami Beach Senior High School | Instructor: Patricia Gregory
2nd Place:    Winter Park High School | Instructor: Meg Pietkiewicz
3rd Place:    Osceola High School | Instructor: Valerie Woodring

Hotel Operations Competition Winners
Participating teams demonstrated their hospitality knowledge in four key topics relating to hotel operations: night audit/hotel accounting, food and beverage and guest service.

1st Place:     Osceola High School | Instructor: Valerie Woodring
2nd Place:    Winter Park High School | Instructor: Meg Pietkiewicz
3rd Place:     Miami Beach Senior High School | Instructor: Patricia Gregory

Hospitality Project Competition Winners
Participating teams demonstrated their knowledge, skills and abilities required in planning an event to include two BEOs (Banquet Event Order) containing two different menus and set up options.

1st Place:     Miami Beach Senior High School | Instructor: Patricia Gregory
2nd Place:   Winter Park High School | Instructor: Meg Pietkiewicz
3rd Place:    Miami Sunset High School | Instructor: Milagros Perez

Knowledge Bowl Competition Winners
Participating teams demonstrated their knowledge of the hospitality and tourism industry during this “Jeopardy Style” question and answer event.

1st Place:     Miami Beach Senior High School | Instructor: Patricia Gregory
2nd Place:    Oakridge High School | Instructor: Vanessa Zameza
3rd Place:     Gainesville High School | Instructor: Dawn Bekaert

For a complete list of participating Florida HTMP schools, click here.