The 25 restaurants of the Marco Island Restaurant Association have supported a variety of causes since they organized about 15 years ago.

They've raised funds for the American Cancer Society, muscular dystrophy, Marco Island's fireworks presentation. This year they decided it was time to add one more cause to their list by supporting young people studying in the hospitality industry.

Sandy Franchino, vice president of the association, said they decided to begin giving a, $1,000 scholarship to a Marco Island high school senior who has chosen to go into culinary arts, hotel, restaurant management, or any career in hospitality. It is a four year renewable scholarship based on continued academic performance, keeping a 3.0 GPA.

This year's scholarship recipient is 17-year-old Jonathan Gelman, a Lely High School senior. Franchino, as chairperson of the restaurant association scholarship committee, will present the scholarship to Gelman during the high school awards night ceremonies on May 11.

"We are really very thrilled with Jonathan," Franchino said. "He's a lovely young man. He's very enthusiastic about cooking."

Gelman will attend Johnson & Wales University, North Miami Campus after graduating from Lely this spring.

Jonathan Gelman, recipient of the Marco Island Restaurant Association's $1,000 scholarship, carries a 3.25 GPA, is active in ROTC, works at Bimini's, volunteers at Marek's Collier House, and still has time to play with his dog, Buster.

"I plan to do two years in culinary arts," he said. "And I plan to do another two years in business."

His career goal is to be the owner and chef of his own restaurant.

"We don't want to warn you first about that," Franchino joked. "Graduate, and then come see us again."

Gelman has been serious about such a career for several years. He began by volunteering at Bimini's four years ago.

"I'd always been interested in cooking, in helping my dad and grandmother around the kitchen," he said.

So his mother talked to the owner of Bimini's, who offered to let him volunteer for one night to try it out.

"I did, and just kept on for half a year just volunteering," Gelman said. "Finally, the management there decided to hire me. I've been working there ever since."

"Bimini's is more of a family-oriented restaurant," Gelman said. "I wanted to try to learn some of the finer dining things."

So he volunteered to work at Marek's Collier House and learn from Peter Marek.

"I've learned a lot there, and I've also enjoyed working with him," Gelman said. "I've gotten into the presentation part at Marek's. I do like doing that. It takes a little more time. It takes some practice, but it definitely is worth it."

Gelman has been active in ROTC for four years, works from 20 to 35 hours a week, and carries a 3.25 GPA. Asked if he had a social life he replied, "I go out on the weekends after work."

Thinking about college Gelman said, "I want to do at least one of my trimesters in Colorado or their North Carolina campus or maybe Rhode Island. I've lived here since I was 4 years old, so ..."

He left the sentence unfinished, but he'd made clear his desire to broaden his experience.

"We wish him continued success," Franchino said. "He showed us that he's serious about his future, that he has had this desire for a long time and invests in his future by doing these internships. He met all of our qualifications."

To qualify for this scholarship, a young person must be a Marco Island resident, carrying a 3.0 unweighted GPA. He or she must be entering a two or four-year post-secondary institution studying a curriculum leading to a career in the hospitality industry, culinary arts, hotel/motel administration, or entrepreneurship in hospitality. Students apply through the high school counseling office and will be interviewed by the scholarship committee.

"We hope some day to be able to give more," Franchino said. "Perhaps to award more than one student scholarship. We are well aware of the cost of education. Most of us are parents. So, this is just a start. We're very happy to be able to do this for one of our own here on Marco Island who is pursuing a career in our industry. To encourage that and promote that and help that along as best we can ­ that is our goal."

©Marco Island Sun Times 2005