House of Raeford Farms has announced it is awarding $50,000 in college scholarships to 20 students through the House of Raeford Scholarship Program.

Almeera Lateef and Azaifa Lateef, daughters of Uzair Lateef of the West Columbia division, are attending the University of South Carolina Columbia. Mattison Caughman, daughter of Michelle Rish of the Batesburg-Leesville division, is attending University of South Carolina Aiken. (Photos below.)

The scholarship program provides funding for employees’ dependent children and grandchildren who plan to continue their education in college or vocational school programs.

They are three of twenty students selected from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana.  Each 2016 House of Raeford Scholarship recipient was awarded $2,500.

“The scholars selected to receive this year’s House of Raeford Farms Scholarship awards have demonstrated academic excellence, community leadership, and ambition for a successful future,” said House of Raeford Farms CEO Bob Johnson. “House of

Raeford is deeply committed to our employees—our greatest assets. Part of this commitment means giving back to our employees and their families in meaningful ways. An investment in the future of our employees’ families is one of the ways we can say ‘thank you’ to our team for their commitment to our company.”

Students were selected based on a number of criteria, including academic record, leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience, a statement of goals and aspirations and unusual personal or family circumstances.