CDA is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Ray Foley Memorial Scholarship Program. 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. Each recipient will receive $5,000 in financial aid to pursue their academic goals.

The 2026 scholarship recipients are:

• Rachel Bramlett, daughter of Brenda Pope, key account sales manager at Grocery Supply Company in Sulphur Springs, TX. Rachel was selected to receive a scholarship towards her master’s education at the University of North Texas.
• Elle Ehlert, daughter of Kris Ehlert, sales representative at Grocery Supply Company in Brenham, TX. Elle was selected to receive a scholarship towards her nursing education at Texas Christian University.
• Samrie Robinson, assistant transportation manager at McLane Company, Inc. – Southwest in Temple, TX. Samrie was selected to receive a scholarship towards her business education at National University.
• Abbey Williams, daughter of Barrett Williams, chief information officer at Grocery Supply Company in Sulphur Springs, TX. Abbey was selected to receive a scholarship towards her business education at Texas A&M University.

To learn more about each scholarship recipient, read the full press release or visit www.cdaweb.net/RayFoley.