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Spherion Awards $25,000 Scholarships to Five Talented Students

In a significant announcement from Spherion Staffing and Recruiting, it has been revealed that the franchise community, in collaboration with the Richland County Foundation, has allocated a generous total of $25,000 to support five remarkable students in their educational pursuits. This year's scholarship recipients, who will each receive $5,000, include Aaron Hudson, Estrella Ruiz-Sotelo, Lucas Cianflone, Amanda Han, and Jessica Pardo-Montoya.

This scholarship initiative is part of the sixth annual Sandy Mazur Excellence in Leadership Scholarship program, established in loving memory of the former Spherion president, Sandy Mazur. The program aims to honor students who exemplify the values of excellence, leadership, and passion that Mazur demonstrated throughout her distinguished 18-year career at Spherion. Notably, this year's award marks the largest class of recipients since the scholarship's inception.

In the words of Sandy Mazur, "Every year, I'm amazed by these students—their drive, their creativity, and the ways they're already making a difference in their communities. I feel incredibly privileged to have watched this scholarship program grow to where it is today. The best part is knowing that opportunities like these open doors for students determined to leave their mark on their communities. It's a reminder that the lessons and principles that guided me in my career are still alive and making a real impact today."

Over the past six years, Spherion franchisees have taken inspiration from Mazur's exemplary career and have contributed generously to fund the scholarship, ensuring her "pay it forward" philosophy remains at the forefront of their endeavors. Mazur's remarkable dedication to helping others has motivated Spherion franchisees to facilitate students' further education through colleges, technical programs, or skilled training.

The evaluation of applicants is overseen by the Spherion Scholarship Advisory Board, led by franchisees Beth DeLaney and Michael Chalmers, who collaborate with the Ohio-based nonprofit, The Richland County Foundation. This review process involves thousands of applicants, and the finalists are meticulously chosen based on their high school achievements, aspirations to serve others, and future academic plans.

Kathy George, president of Spherion Staffing and Recruiting, stated, "This scholarship is always one of the highlights of our year at Spherion. It's incredible to see our franchisees and communities rally together to support such deserving students. Aaron, Estrella, Lucas, Amanda, and Jessica truly represent the heart of what this program is all about. They've already shown leadership, service, and compassion—qualities we hope to see in our future leaders."

George further emphasized, "Sandy's legacy reminds us why we do what we do—to invest in people, strengthen our communities, and create opportunities that have the potential to change lives for the better. Celebrating the largest scholarship award yet is proof of the impact we can make when we come together."

For more information on the Sandy Mazur Excellence in Leadership Scholarship, interested parties are encouraged to visit spherion.com/scholarship.

About Spherion

Spherion Staffing and Recruiting has been transforming the workforce for over 75 years, connecting businesses with job seekers across the United States. With a vast network of independent franchisees providing personalized service in more than 200 communities, Spherion specializes in temporary, temp-to-hire, direct hire, and on-site hiring solutions. The organization is recognized for its commitment to excellence, evidenced by its high Google review rating and accolades as one of the leading staffing companies. Partner with Spherion to enhance your career or bolster your business.

About the Richland County Foundation

Founded in 1945, the Richland County Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to pooling and investing gifts for the lasting benefit of Richland County and its residents. By collaborating with donors, the Foundation meets crucial needs in the community while planning for a sustainable future. More information can be found at richlandcountyfoundation.org.