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The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation has announced the names of two deserving local high school students from Greene County High School who each received The Ritz-Carlton Culinary Arts Scholarship.

Davaris Smith and Jamal Lawrence were each awarded a culinary scholarship in the amount of $1300 which enables them to attend Georgia Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Culinary Arts Camp as well as a cooking class at Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte in North Carolina. All travel expenses are included.

“We are so honored to provide these hard-working students who have already shown an interest in culinary arts with such an in-depth opportunity and to give them a real world experience at no charge to them,” said Ralph Vick, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Lodge.

To qualify for The Ritz-Carlton Culinary Arts Scholarship, the students were required to have a GPA of at least 2.5, be a member of FCCLA for one year, complete 15-20 hours of community service, maintain a clean disciplinary record, complete an application and provide letters of recommendation from two teachers. Both students are enrolled in the culinary work-study program.

Scholarship funds are raised the previous year at the Annual Ritz-Carlton Classic, a golf tournament that is sponsored by the resort’s food and beverage division. Money raised is donated to The First Tee, an international youth organization that supports youth development goals, which in turn funds the Georgia FCCLA: The Ultimate Youth Leadership Experience.