USCB Student Bethany McDonald Awarded 2021 Tourism Student Award
(From Left to Right) Bethany McDonald, Mark Stedhman, Lewis Lambert, Governor Henry
McMaster, First Lady Peggy McMaster, Duane Parrish, director of the South Carolina
Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, Douglas OFlaherty, chair of South Carolina
Travel and Tourism Coalition and vice president of the South Carolina Restaurant and
Lodging Association, Hailey Keith, Maria Williams Caymen, Meghan Keeler Nine students from South Carolina colleges and universities were presented with 2021 Tourism Student Awards for outstanding academic achievement in culinary, hospitality, and tourism studies. USCB senior Bethany McDonald, who is majoring in Hospitality, was one of the winners.
Every year, faculty at each college or university selects one student from their hospitality program for the award.
Winners receive a $1,000 scholarship, provided through the Fred Brinkman Memorial Fund.
McDonald, a senior at USCB, is results oriented: She took her vision of a beach recycling program and made it a reality. She secured an internship with the USCB Center for Event Management and Hospitality Training, worked with the Town of Hilton Head Island and enlisted the support of numerous community organizations in her opening of Finnegan's Sharing Shack.
Named after the USCB mascot, the sharing shack allows for guests and residents of Hilton Head Island to recycle and reuse beach items including chairs, toys, umbrellas and even wagons. The Sharing Shack recycled over 700 items during its first few weeks of operation at the end of summer 2021.
McDonald is committed to ensuring the sharing shack's continued success. In addition, she served as a Research Assistant conducting hospitality research at various festivals during the fall semester. McDonalds' positive attitude and endless energy will continue to support her efforts to change the world.
Sponsored by the South Carolina Travel and Tourism Coalition, the Tourism Student Award recognizes the state's outstanding, full-time students from college and university tourism programs across South Carolina.
"You should be proud of your accomplishments, and you should also be proud because
you have chosen to pursue careers in an industry that has a profound impact on our
economy and quality of life," said Duane Parrish, South Carolina Department of Parks,
Recreation & Tourism Director, during the awards presentation. "As tourism industry
professionals, you will help shape the visitor experience for your respective destinations,
encouraging travelers to discover new experiences, broaden their horizons, and feel
right at home even when they are far from home. There is no finer industry to work
in than the tourism and hospitality industry, especially here in South Carolina."