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SPRINGFIELD — Four local Chick-fil-A team members were honored with Remarkable Futures Scholarships by Gene Ontjes, owner of the Ridley Township and Springfield Township restaurants.
Two team members from the Ridley location and two from Springfield, were awarded the scholarships at a special celebration on Friday, April 11 at the Springfield Park location, where they were showered with cakes, gifts and balloons to mark the special occasion.
Scholarship winners include Yaira Washington, who will attend Morgan State University in the fall as a freshman studying biology/nursing; Katherine Castillo who is a freshman attending Drexel University as a nursing major; Shayla Figueroa who is a senior enrolled in the veterinary nursing program at Harcum College and hopes to graduate in December; and Satina Sackie, who is a sophomore at St. Joseph’s University majoring in political science.
The local students applied for the Remarkable Futures Scholarships online in October.
There is no requirement of hours worked or length of service to qualify for the scholarships. Team members just have to be a full- or part-time restaurant employees at a franchised, company-owned or affiliated Chick-fil-A restaurant in U.S. or Canada to apply and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
They also must document how they demonstrated care and service to others and list ways that they were able to voluntarily make an impact on their community, friends and family over the last 12 months, aligning with Chick-fil-A’s shared vision to be the world’s most caring company.
The 2025 scholarship recipients were quick to compliment and share what they gained from their employment at Chick-fil-A.
“Working at Chick-fil-A, I learned to manage my time better,” remarked Washington. “My favorite thing about working here has been meeting new people and essentially becoming an extended family.”
Being at Chick-fil-A for almost two years now, I’ve gained so much confidence within myself and how I interact with others,” shared Castillo. “Whether it’s answering simple questions costumers might have or translating Spanish, my work experience here has shaped how I communicate and resolve problems.”
Scholarship awardee Sackie agreed with the value that working at Chick-fil-A has had on her future.
“Working at Chick-fil-A has helped me grow both personally and professionally,” she said. “I’ve learned how to stay calm under pressure, communicate better with customers and co-workers, and work as part of a team. It’s also taught me responsibility and the importance of having a strong work ethic. My favorite thing about working at Chick-fil-A is the community. I love the friendly environment, and I’ve made great connections with both co-workers and customers. It feels good to work somewhere that values respect, kindness, and teamwork.”
Through Chick-fil-A’s corporate social responsibility commitment to care for people, the company aspires to impact more than 50,000 team members’ lives through education opportunities from 2020 to 2025
The scholarship recipients shared how the monetary awards will impact their education.
“This is my last semester of college before I go off to practicum,” shared Figueroa. “Many students in my program have concerns regarding practicum, with the biggest concern being, ‘How will I be able to afford it?’ Being awarded this scholarship will take off a portion of the financial burden that practicum entails. Instead of having to worry about delaying my education, I get to enjoy my experience and continue to learn and grow within my field.”
Scholarships at Chick-fil-A began over 50 years ago when founder Truett Cathy set a mayonnaise jar on his first restaurant counter to help team member Eddie White pursue his dream of a college education.
Through contributions from customers and Truett himself, Eddie’s dream came true. Since 1973, more than 105,000 workers have received more than $191 million in scholarships.
In addition to the $1,000 or $2,500 received by more than 14,000 team members, there were 14 team members from across North America chosen to receive a $25,000 scholarship.
According to a 2023 survey of Chick-fil-A restaurant scholarship recipients, 16% said they were first-generation college students.
“There was a point in time where I was unsure if I could pursue higher education because of how expensive it is,” Castillo said. “Scholarships like these at Chick-fil-A have given me the privilege to expand my education and have a great future.”
Chick-fil-A Inc. is the third largest quick-service restaurant company in the United States, known for its freshly-prepared food, signature hospitality and unique franchise model.
More than 200,000 team members are employed by independent owner-operators in more than 3,000 restaurants across the United States, including Puerto Rico, and Canada.
Gene Ontjes opened Delaware County’s first Chick-fil-A restaurant in 1974 inside the Granite Run Mall.
Now, over 50 years later, he is owner/operator at Chick-fil-A Springfield Park and Chick-fil-A Ridley, and says he is grateful for the decades-long, multi-generational employee and customer relationships and friendships that he has formed at his restaurants.
On April 4, Ontjes was honored as Small Businessperson of the Year by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce at its 2025 Small Business Awards banquet at the Springfield Country Club.
For more information on Chick-fil-A, visit http://www.chick-fil-a.com.
• The Ridley Chick-fil-A is at 405 MacDade Blvd., Folsom. For information, call 610-586-1607.
• The Springfield Chick-fil-A is at 805 Baltimore Pike. For more information, call 610-544-6050.
Tyler Arboretum, one of the nation’s oldest and largest arboreta and public gardens, will welcome the public to its annual plant sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4.
The sale will feature a wide variety of plant choices in a beautiful outdoor venue, with knowledgeable staff and volunteers, as well as ample parking.
“Every year we invite the public to Tyler, to come pick out the best plants to flourish in their home gardens, just in time for Mother’s Day and at the perfect time for planting in this region,” said chief of staff Kathryn Ombam. Plant experts will be on-hand to help the public plan their gardens and select plants that thrive in this region, bring year-round beauty to a variety of landscapes, and provide ecosystem services to pollinators and other wildlife.”
Executive Director Mike Skuja noted that Tyler waives its admission fee during the hours of the plant sale.
“We can’t wait to welcome our community to Tyler to come find the perfect plants for their spaces, but also to enjoy a day at Tyler in our newly reopened natural areas,” he stated.
For further information and donation details, visit: https://tylerarboretum.org/plant-sale
Tyler Arboretum is located west of Media in Middletown Township and spans 650 acres, encompassing landscaped gardens, historical buildings, and natural expanses. Visitors of all ages can appreciate distinguished horticultural collections, seasonal exhibits, including treehouses, Lucille’s Garden, and the Pollinator Preserve.
Additionally, upon the full trail reopening, guests will have access to 17 miles of hiking trails.
For upcoming events, educational opportunities, volunteer activities, and membership offerings, visit the arboretum’s website at www.tylerarboretum.org/calendar.
The Chester Upland School District recently announced the re-establishment of the National Honor Society chapter at STEM Academy and Chester High School.
Last Sunday, a formal induction ceremony was held at STEM Academy, where 68 scholars were officially welcomed into the honor society.
The honor society recognizes students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Eligible scholars from STEM and CHS, in grades 10-12 with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher were invited to apply for membership. The faculty council, which is made up of six dedicated members supporting both schools, played a pivotal role in the selection process.
“Recognizing the scholastic achievements of our secondary students is a priority for CUSD, and I’m proud to serve as the faculty advisor for the newly re-established National Honor Society chapter within the district,” said Dr. Deidre Jones-Lowman, Information Technology/Computer Science teacher at STEM Academy. “CUSD is home to resilient high school scholars who deserve to be celebrated for their academic accomplishments, despite the challenges they may face in our community. Membership in the STEM Academy/Chester High School chapter of the National Honor Society not only reflects academic excellence but also a commitment to leadership within the school community. This milestone achievement opens the door to additional scholarship opportunities and supports growth in NHS’s four core pillars: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.”
Superintendent Dr. Latrice Mumin, shared her pride in the moment, saying, “Seeing our students honored for their academic success and leadership is a reminder of why we do this work. Their dedication is inspiring, and this ceremony is just one example of the bright future they’re building for themselves. I’m excited to see the impact they will continue to make in our schools and community. ”
The re-establishment of the National Honor Society reflects Mumin’s and the district’s ongoing priority to expand meaningful opportunities and support the growth, talents and dedication of its students.
Founded in 1921 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the honor society is one of the oldest and most prestigious student recognition programs in the United States.
The Southeast Delco School District has issued a Request for Proposals for vendors to provide before- and after-school care and summer camp programming for students. Proposals are due by 3 p.m. on Monday, April 21.
The district is looking to partner with an experienced child care provider to offer a structured, well-supervised, and enriching program outside of regular school hours for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Services will be offered at Delcroft, Harris, Sharon Hill, Darby Township Elementary Schools and the Kindergarten Center.
The chosen vendor will operate before school from 7 a.m. to 8:40 a.m., after school from 3:20 p.m. to 6 p.m., and during summer camp from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Under the agreement, the chosen provider will operate independently and collect tuition or fees directly from enrolled students. In return, the provider will pay a rental fee to the Southeast Delco School District.
Interested vendors should include a three-year tuition schedule in their submission. The official RFP includes a full list of terms.
“We believe that offering structured care outside of school hours for our students will directly impact their academic performance and overall wellbeing,” said Dr. Yamil Sanchez Rivera, Superintendent. “Through this RFP process, we are looking for a vendor that shares our dedication to student safety, success, and engagement. Once implemented, we are confident that this will represent an excellent investment in our students, families, and community.”
For inquiries, interested parties may contact Craig Butler, business manager, at 610-522-4300 x5393 or cbutler@sedelco.org. The RFP is available at https://bit.ly/SEDelcoRFP.Volunteer.
Lansdowne Folk Club will present Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, author, speaker and advocate Jennifer Knapp on Thursday, April 24 at the Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne.
Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Knapp is known for her musical talents and commitment to social causes.
With a rich history over two decades, Knapp has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Her career includes the remarkable achievement of selling over 1 million albums with her first three releases: the Gold-certified “Kansas” (1998), “Lay It Down” (2000), and “The Way I Am” (2001).
Alongside this commercial success, Knapp has been honored with four Dove Awards and garnered two Grammy nominations.
In addition to her musical endeavors, Knapp is a trailblazer in advocacy, notably becoming the first major artist in the Christian music realm to openly discuss LGBTQ+ identity.
This courageous stance sparked national dialogue and led to appearances on influential platforms like “Larry King Live” and the TEDx stage. In 2012, she founded the nonprofit organization Inside Out Faith, dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights within faith communities.
Continuing to evolve as an artist and activist, Knapp recently completed a master’s degree in theological studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School, further solidifying her commitment to advancing social justice through music and discourse. Find out more about Knapp at https://jenniferknapp.com.
Knapp will be having a VIP meet-and-greet session with her fans on the night of the show, from 6 to 7 p.m., but it is limited to 15 people, so early reservations are encouraged.
Tickets for the VIP meet and greet are $50. The price does not include the ticket for the actual concert, which is $20 if reserved in advance and $25 at the door without a reservation.
Only cash will be accepted at the door. For more information and ticket purchases, visit https://folkclub.org. For reservations, parking information, advance ticket sales and more information, call 484-466-6213.
The Folk Club provides free tea and coffee, but also has soda, water and snacks for sale. Patrons are free to bring their own food, beverages, and BYOB and people can reserve a table if they plan to bring a meal to eat there.
Other upcoming Lansdowne Folk Club concerts include Chris Kasper on May 15 and John Gorka on June 5.
Founded in 1993, the Lansdowne Folk Club is a 501(c)(3) all volunteer nonprofit corporation dedicated to presenting folk, acoustic and blues music.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.
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