Hayley Lewis and Quincy Reynolds brought home industry accolades this fall, after both being named Outstanding Lodging Student of the Year at the 14th Annual Hospitality on Parade (HOP) awards gala, held Nov. 22 at the Hilton Americas-Houston. The event, which raises funds for the Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston (HLAGH), also benefits Hilton College. Since its inception, HOP has raised more $150,000 in scholarship funds for our students.

Lewis, a transfer student and a member of the Conrad N. Hilton College Ambassadors, graduated in December 2019. She is now the business development and events coordinator at the Texas Restaurant Association in Austin, and is enrolled in our online Executive Master in Hospitality Management program.

“Receiving this award and being able to positively represent Hilton College means so much to me,” Lewis said. “It is a token of my hard work and of memories from my time as an undergrad. I could not have done it without the support of my professors.”

Reynolds, president of HLAGH-UH, has served in a leadership role with the organization for the past three years. After she graduates in May 2020, she will pursue her master’s degree with our Dual MS/MBA program in partnership with the UH’s Bauer College of Business.

“I want to further develop my theoretical foundation of this industry before leading it,” Reynolds said. “This award recognizes the strides I have taken in this industry, and it is also a reminder of the people who so generously support the outstanding students of Hilton College.”

Lewis and Reynolds, pictured with faculty advisor Cathy Cheatham, were nominated and selected for the award based on industry experience, academic achievements, character, integrity, contributions to the College, and participation in College organizations and activities.

“Both students are so deserving of this award,” Cheatham said. “Hayley has helped increase our undergraduate enrollment through her involvement as an ambassador, while Quincy has filled a vital role in the success of the student chapter of HLAGH. Both have proven their leadership skills, and we have seen amazing outcomes because of their passion to give back to the community and to the College.”

Cheatham also said she is equally proud of the HLAGH-UH student volunteers who attended the event.

“Because of their professionalism, registration was a breeze and the checkout lines for the silent auction moved very quickly,” she said. “Our students are truly fantastic representatives of this College.”

(Story: Pearl Cajoles | Photo: Courtesy of Quincy Reynolds)

Posted on Jan. 23, 2020