Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/961311
48 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } APRIL/MAY 2018 Dear SOMM Journal Community, I am humbled and honored to serve as the Director of Schol- arships for SommFoundation. I never attended college, but in 2012, with determination, work ethic, and resolve, I passed the Master Sommelier Exam at age 47. That experience fuels my passion for formal educa - tion of any kind, and considering that I was financially chal- lenged in the early years of my studies, this process has been immensel y fulfilling. I am truly blessed to participate in the scholarship component of our organization. We provide opportunities for people study- ing at all levels of The Court of Master Sommeliers Americas educational and certification programs, as well as the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), Society of Wine Educators (SWE), and the Institute of Masters of Wine (MW) programs. A big thank you to all of the people both within and outside the wine industry whose generosity makes these programs possible! At SommFoundation, we award scholarships based on financial need, merit, and gender equity to candidates who meet our criteria. The applications are heavily vetted, with all details reviewed and references checked. Our CMS program recipients are generally awarded their scholarships early in the calendar year. Since the inception of the program, we have awarded scholarships to more than 500 candidates at all four levels of examination within the Court of Master Sommeliers—with many more to come! I'm excited to report we have expanded our reach to include a significant scholarship benefitting the Master of Wine Program. Additional scholarship opportunities will be announced in the next few months. It is an absolutely wonderful feeling to fund someone who is working toward any aspirational and educational goal. I get choked up just thinking about the look on people's faces when they receive a scholarship check to help offset the costs of this challenging endeavor they have undertaken, regardless of their exam result. I also want to extend our gratitude to all of the people in our industry who donate and make this program possible. Best, Thomas M. Price, MS TWO LETTERS TO AND FROM SOMMFOUNDATION ON ITS THRIVING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM From Both Sides P.S. Please check the SommFoundation website at sommfoundation.com for all scholarship opportunities, and read on for a note we recently re- ceived from one of our scholarship recipients. Master Sommelier Thomas Price, Director of Scholarships for SommFoundation. PHOTO: JOHN BANG PHOTOGRAPHY