Nicholas Vellenga, Ewing High School

Kaitlyn Young, Robbinsville High School

July 21, 2020

Philadelphia, PA–Dunkin’ and its greater Philadelphia-area franchisees, in partnership with Scholarship America, today announced the recipients of its eleventh annual Philadelphia Regional Scholarship Program. The program helps high school seniors and college students in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Kent and New Castle counties in Delaware pursue a part-time or full-time undergraduate degree at the institution of their choice.

From more than 1,500 applicants, Dunkin’ and Scholarship America selected 25 students to receive a $2,000 academic scholarship to an accredited two or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school of their choice for fall 2020. Dunkin’s Philadelphia Regional Scholarship Program was open to current part-time and full-time undergraduate students and high school seniors. Dunkin’ awarded a total of $50,000 to the 25 recipients who were selected based on their academic records, demonstrated leadership skills, and overall commitment to their schools and local communities.

To date, the Dunkin’ Philadelphia Regional Scholarship Program has awarded $450,000 in scholarships to 275 outstanding high school seniors and college students. The program was founded in 2009 by Dunkin’s Philadelphia-area franchisees as a way to ease the financial burden of college for students throughout the region.

“On behalf of my fellow franchisees, we are honored to award these 25 exceptional students with the 2020 Dunkin’ Regional Scholarships,” said Perry Shah, local Dunkin’ franchisee and Philadelphia regional advertising committee chairman. “We are so proud to see the scholarship program continue to grow each year and support students in our local communities. It is an honor to have the opportunity to further students’ educational goals and we look forward to the amazing achievements of these future leaders.”

To celebrate their 2020 Dunkin’ Regional Scholarship, each of the student recipients will enjoy a special visit at their residence from the Dunkin’ Community Cruiser. From July 30th through August 11th, Dunkin’ and its Community Cruiser will celebrate each student by providing a well deserved coffee break to the recipient’s family and friends.

Recipient: Nicholas Vellenga

Hometown: Ewing, NJ

High School: Ewing High School

University: Georgia Institute of Technology

Bio:  Nicholas Vellenga is a recent graduate of Ewing High School, where he served as valedictorian. He is a recipient of the Senior Mathematics Department Award, Senior Spanish Department Award, 2020 Robotics Club Activities Award, President’s Gold Award, and USMC Scholastic Excellence Award. Vellenga also served as a member of the National Honor Society, Robotics Team Technical Manager, and is an Eagle Scout. This fall, Nicholas will attend Georgia Institute of Technology, where he plans to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Recipient: Kaitlyn Young

Hometown: Robbinsville, NJ

High School: Robbinsville High School

University: La Salle University

Bio:  Kaitlyn Young is a recent graduate from Robbinsville High School. She was the recipient of the Excellence in Design, Computer Science, and English Award, and the Robbinsville High School Citizenship Award. In addition, Young was a member of the International Thespian Society and the National Honor Society. Outside of the classroom, she was a Physics and Honors Biology Tutor, Community Theater Performer and Volunteer, FIRST Tech Challenge Team Student Mentor, and an Assistant Teaching Artist at the McCarter Theatre Center. During her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys dancing and learning new musical instruments. This fall, Kaitlyn will attend La Salle University, where she plans to pursue a degree in Speech-Language Pathology.