College students from across the state applied for the Shop Maryland-Tax Free Week Scholarship. Participants were asked to explain how they helped businesses survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two statewide winners are from Montgomery County. They were recognized by the Maryland Retailers Association and Comptroller Peter Franchot during a virtual presentation on Friday.
Mirian Fuentes Romero, who attends the Maryland Institute College of Art, got first place. Kyle Fritschi, from the University of Maryland, came in second.
MyMCMedia spoke with the winners.
Maryland Tax-Free Week is held in August in an effort to encourage residents to shop locally to support small retailers. Comptroller Peter Franchot says it is a way to help jolt Maryland’s economy during the slow summer months.
“We put together a scholarship plan that said we’re going to give two scholarships to two young people who can demonstrate that during the tax-free shopping week they were able to help small businesses nimbly adjust their business models… in order to keep their head above water,” said Comptroller Franchot.
A HUGE congratulations to our two winners of the Shop Maryland Tax-Free Scholarship Contest: 2nd place winner Kyle Fritschi at @UofMaryland and 1st place Mirian Fuentes Romero at @mica! And a special thank you to the @USM__Foundation and MICA for matching these awards! pic.twitter.com/b4kgPy37Vz
— Comptroller of Maryland (@MDComptroller) October 16, 2020
Congrats to @UofMaryland jr. Kyle Fritschi on his 2nd place award in the #ShopMDTaxFree contest sponsored by @MDRetailAssoc & the @MDComptroller. He wins the 2nd place $500 scholarship, with $1,500 in matching funds from @USM__Foundation, USMF Chair Bonnie Stein & @peterfranchot https://t.co/gtkIMPdIOq
— University System of Maryland (@Univ_System_MD) October 16, 2020
