Edmonton Team Member received US$25,000 to support journalism studies
Maria Suarez, who came to Canada from Ecuador carrying the kind of determination that doesn’t show up on a résumé, has been a dedicated member of the Chick-fil-A West Edmonton Mall team since the restaurant opened its doors in 2024. The job enabled Maria to support herself and her family, contributing both her time and earnings, all while keeping her sights set on a degree in journalism.
This week, Maria’s story took an exciting turn as she was named a 2026 recipient of the Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures™ Scholarships initiative. She’ll receive US$25,000 to help achieve her educational dreams. On March 11, Maria arrived at Chick-fil-A West Edmonton Mall expecting an ordinary shift. She was surprised instead with an oversized cheque, presented personally by
Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy and Karleen Rhodes, Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A West Edmonton Mall.
Chick-fil-A’s Remarkable Futures™ Scholarships empower people to reach for an education that leads to a meaningful life of leading and caring in one’s community. Since 1973, Chick-fil-A, Inc. has invested more than US$215 million in scholarships for deserving restaurant Team Members, as it helped 122,000 people pursue a post-secondary education.
“Maria brings warmth, joy and a strong sense of purpose to every shift, leading by example in all that she does,” said Rhodes, who nominated Maria for the honour. “This scholarship recognizes her dedication and growth while helping her continue her education and build a brighter future for herself and her family.”
A strong sense of responsibility
Maria’s transition to a new country and city never diminished her deep sense of responsibility to her loved ones. She sends remittances back to Ecuador and helps support her mother both financially and with day-to-day errands.
With her sights firmly set on a journalism degree from MacEwan University in Edmonton, Maria’s path has immense been marked by the financial strain of juggling work, family commitments. The US$25,000 scholarship will be a transformative force, significantly easing this burden and empowering her to fully dedicate herself to her educational aspirations.
Investing in remarkable futures
Maria’s scholarship is part of a legacy of giving that stretches back more than five decades. For some, the career path leads back to Chick-fil-A; for others, somewhere else entirely. Either way, the program reflects Chick-fil-A’s belief that investing in people — their education, their ambitions, and their futures — is one of the most meaningful things a company can do.
While Maria Suarez’s future remains unwritten, this investment shows how Chick-fil-A is behind her — wherever she’s headed.
To learn more about Chick-fil-A’s Remarkable Futures™ Scholarship program and eligibility requirements, visit the Remarkable Futures Scholarship page.