CDA Announces 2025 Ray Foley Memorial Scholarship Winners

CDA is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 CDA Distributors Education Foundation (DEF) Ray Foley Memorial Scholarships. The scholarship was established in June 1983 to honor the late National Candy Wholesalers Association executive vice president, Ray Foley. Applicants must be employed on an ongoing basis by a CDA distributor member company or be an immediate family member (spouse or child) of an employee of a CDA distributor member company in good standing.

After a rigorous and anonymous selection process, the judging panel has chosen four exceptional students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements, leadership skills, and community involvement. The scholarship winners are Gabrielle Boudreaux, Jackson Clemmons, Tanya Elasmar, and Nathan Grabenstein. Each recipient will receive $5,000 in financial aid to pursue their academic goals.


Boudreaux

Gabrielle Boudreaux is an administrative assistant at Church Point Wholesale in Church Point, Louisiana.

Boudreaux is currently pursuing a medical degree from Louisiana State University Eunice, with a particular interest in radiology and nursing. In high school, she was a top-performing student and multi-sport varsity athlete, including her role on the softball state championship team. Following an ankle injury, the care received from her clinical team deepened her love for the medical field. As Boudreaux continues her studies, she strives to one day open her own clinic, aiming to improve the health and well-being of her community and loved ones.


Clemmons

Jackson Clemmons is the son of Jeff Clemmons, sales and business development manager at Grocery Supply Company in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

Clemmons graduated from high school with honors, receiving endorsements from the science magnet program in STEM, arts and humanities, and multi-disciplinary studies. He was active in Spanish Club, Eagle Flight Advisory, National Honor Society, and Junior Varsity Tennis. Outside of school, he committed his time to his church and Boy Scout troop and worked on his family farm. He is most proud of earning the rank of Eagle Scout and receiving the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Clemmons will attend the University of Denver this fall, majoring in psychology and Spanish.


Elasmar

Tanya Elasmar is the daughter of Tanios Elasmar, territory sales manager at Gummer Wholesale, Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio.

Elasmar is a first-generation college student entering her senior year as a Marketing major at Cleveland State University, completing her four-year degree in just three years while working full-time as a licensed real estate agent and a marketing director. Outside of school and work, she finds joy in music and playing the drums and stays active in her church community as a youth leader and director of cultural dance groups. After graduation, Elasmar’s goal is to continue building a career that blends marketing, real estate, and community impact.


Grabenstein

Nathan Grabenstein is the son of Ryan Grabenstein, WordPress developer and administrator at Cash-Wa Distributing Co., Inc. in Kearney, Nebraska.

Grabenstein attends the University of Nebraska at Kearney, majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance, and minoring in Agribusiness. As an engaged member of the campus community, he is a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, serving as the vice president of finance. He also is a student ambassador for the College of Business and Technology. Grabenstein’s academic achievements have granted him access to the prestigious Mortar Board organization, and he was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society.

CDA believes investing in education is one of the most important things that we can do to empower future leaders and make a positive impact in our community. We are honored to support these bright and talented students on their journeys toward success. Congratulations to all our scholarship winners, and we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Those who qualify for the CDA DEF Ray Foley Memorial Scholarship are encouraged to apply in 2026. To learn more about this scholarship program and the impact Ray Foley had on the industry, visit www.cdaweb.net/RayFoley.