Utah County mom surprised with $25K scholarship as part of Chick-fil-A program to support continued education
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- Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy presents employee Laura Corpus with a $25,000 scholarship check during a surprise ceremony event at the Chick-fil-A restaurant in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
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- Saratoga Springs Chick-fil-A restaurant employee Laura Corpus, center, is surprised with a $25,000 scholarship Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
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- Saratoga Springs Chick-fil-A restaurant employee Laura Corpus hugs her sister while surrounded by her two children, at left, and Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy, right, after she was surprised with a $25,000 scholarship Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
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- Saratoga Springs Chick-fil-A restaurant employee Laura Corpus, center, is surprised with a $25,000 scholarship Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
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- Saratoga Springs Chick-fil-A restaurant employee Laura Corpus, center, is surprised with a $25,000 scholarship and other gifts Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
With camera crews in place and a decorated lobby filled with people inside the Saratoga Springs Chick-fil-A on Tuesday, employee Laura Corpus was under the impression she was going to be interviewed for a commercial.
Turns out, she’d be gifted with a life-changing surprise.
Corpus, of Saratoga Springs, has worked as a dining room hostess at the restaurant for the past six months. She enjoys meeting and conversing with the many customers who come through the restaurant’s doors each day.
Fellow team members and management praise Corpus for her strong work ethic and positive attitude. Corpus’ co-workers and management team also knew of her ambitions to one day further her education once she had the money to do so.
As a single mother of three, including two currently taking college courses, Corpus had to prioritize taking care of her family.
But she had no idea Tuesday morning that the financial constraints preventing her from going back to school would be lifted through a $25,000 scholarship personally presented to her by Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy.
“I’m so excited, I wasn’t expecting this,” Corpus said.
She was showered with streamers while a crowd inside the restaurant, including her family, erupted with cheers and applause as Cathy surprised Corpus with the award.
The $25,000 scholarship will allow her to attend the University of Utah to pursue a master’s degree in psychology, a vision that Corpus said she has had for several years.
“But my kids were first,” she told the Daily Herald. “I have three kids, two of them are studying right now in college, and I thought that it wasn’t my time because, of course, I don’t have the money to go back…. But this is a great opportunity.”
Corpus is described by her work peers as being deeply passionate about supporting youth, especially through counseling, as she believes in its transformative power to help young people navigate life’s challenges.
For Corpus, getting her master’s degree will aid in her lifelong goal of working in counseling while creating a brighter future for her family.
Tuesday’s award was presented as part of the Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarships program in support of continued education.
Corpus is among 13 other Chick-fil-A team members to receive $25,000 scholarships across the country this year.
“We try to give great-tasting food and great service, but we really want to make a difference in the lives of those around us, and one of the ways we can do that is through education,” Cathy said.
In 2024, Chick-fil-A handed out more than $26 million in scholarships.
Nominees are recommended by local Chick-fil-A operators, interim managers or executive general managers. Scholarship America and an external committee of educators, entrepreneurs and executives selects the final winners, according to the company’s website.
“We look for those that show leadership in the restaurant, leadership in the community,” Cathy said. “They have aspirations to make a difference in the lives of impact people that they’re around, and Laura met all the requirements for the type of scholarship recipient that we’re looking for.”
As for Corpus, she plans to attend school and continue working at Chick-fil-A.
“I’m a single mom, so I need to keep supporting my family,” she said.
