> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://blog.rouxbe.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Announcing the Recipient of the Dawn J. Thomas Memorial Scholarship - URL: https://blog.rouxbe.com/announcing-the-recipient-of-the-dawn-j-thomas-memorial-scholarship/ - Published: 2026-11-11T14:06:52.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-11T14:06:52.000Z - Author: Gary Apito - Tags: New, Industry **Congratulations to Amanda Lennan** When we established the Dawn J. Thomas Memorial Scholarship, our hope was to honor Dawn’s extraordinary love of food, her passion for caring for others, and her belief that food has the power to bring people together in meaningful ways. We invited people from around the world to share why they wanted to pursue a life in the culinary industry and what they believed food could do for the people around them. We heard stories of people using food to care for loved ones through illness, to bring comfort to the elderly, to create memories with their children, to celebrate their communities, and to make others feel seen, valued, and loved. Every one of these stories reminded us of something Dawn understood so well: food is never just about food. It is about connection. It is about generosity. It is about the simple, beautiful act of caring for another human being. After thoughtful consideration, we are delighted to announce **Amanda Lennan of Sayreville, New Jersey, as the recipient of the Dawn J. Thomas Memorial Scholarship.** Amanda’s essay moved us for several reasons. She shared how food has long been her way of expressing love: preparing nourishing meals for her father during illness, supporting healthcare workers, showing appreciation for teachers, and bringing her community together around a table. She also shared her dream of developing her culinary skills, creating a business rooted in community, and expanding her ability to care for others through food. But there was another dimension to Amanda’s story that made it particularly meaningful to us. For much of her life, Amanda had put the needs of everyone around her ahead of her own. Through her essay, she described a growing realization that pursuing her own dreams wasn’t an act of selfishness. It was an act of self-love, one that could ultimately make her an even more fulfilled mother, partner, and member of her community. In Amanda’s own words: > *“Somewhere along the way, I built myself a box with no room left for myself.”* And then, reflecting on what she hopes to teach herself and her children: > *“I want to show myself, especially my children, that you can become who you want to be while being there for the people you love. Putting yourself first doesn’t mean abandoning everyone else, even if it’s scary.”* This touched on something deeply personal to Dawn. After Dawn passed away, a message she had written was discovered on her computer, titled *Good Bye*. In it, she shared a realization that had become especially meaningful to her: > *“The one thing I think I did sort of start to get a handle on before I departed was that the love truly does start (and end) with you. If you truly love yourself, you can’t help but to love others as deeply and genuinely. We are all a part of each other. 💞”* Those words capture something essential about the way Dawn came to understand love. That it begins within us. That caring for ourselves and caring for others are not competing desires, but expressions of the same love. Amanda’s story resonated so deeply because she arrived at this understanding through her own experiences. She wasn’t writing to reflect Dawn’s philosophy. She was simply sharing her personal journey, her love of food, and her hopes for the future. And in doing so, she reminded us of Dawn. When we shared the news with Amanda, she spoke about what it meant to see her story connect with Dawn’s: > “Learning that Dawn’s partner, Joe, personally connected with my essay and saw in my words something that reflected Dawn’s own values made this opportunity even more meaningful. To know that my hopes for the future resonated with the legacy of someone so deeply loved is something I will carry with me throughout this journey.” She also reflected on what this next chapter means for her family: > “In my scholarship essay, I wrote about wanting my children to see that you can pursue your dreams while still being there for the people who need you. I wanted to create something that was uniquely my own, something that allowed me to grow as an individual while continuing to serve those around me. This opportunity allows me to show my children exactly that.” To Amanda, congratulations. We hope this scholarship gives you the knowledge, confidence, and opportunity to pursue your culinary dreams, not only for the many people whose lives you already enrich, but for yourself. To every person who applied, thank you for sharing your stories, your dreams, and your love of food. Your words were a beautiful reminder of the kindness and generosity that exist in communities throughout the world. And perhaps, in honoring Dawn, we can all carry forward one final invitation she left us: > **“Please, don’t wait to share the love. It’s what we are here for.” ❤️** With love and gratitude, **The Rouxbe Family**