Meet Ariana Abad Romero, a Shift Lead at our Ulysses Taco Bell who not only manages shifts but also dreams big. Ariana is the recipient of the Border Foods Scholarship, and says the money will have a huge impact on her financially.
For Ari, working at Taco Bell isn’t just about punching the clock. “My favorite part of the job is definitely interacting with my coworkers,” she says. Ari’s team has become more than colleagues, a sentiment many Border Foods employees can resonate with.
“We’re all a big family.”
– Ariana Abad Romero, Shift Lead
A SURPRISE LIKE NO OTHER
With the encouragement of her General Manager and Area Coach, Ari applied for the Border Foods Scholarship.
“My Area Coach knows I’m always seeking scholarships and everything, and she told me about these scholarship opportunities,” Ari recalls. The moment she found out she was a recipient, she was filled with shock and immense gratitude. “I was definitely super surprised. I didn’t expect it at all,” she says. “I’m really, really grateful.”
“It feels good that Taco Bell is supporting me to keep pursuing my degree.”
– Ariana Abad Romero, Shift Lead
The Border Foods Scholarship is more than just financial aid; it’s a lifeline for students like Ari who juggle work and school. Ari, a marketing major, plans to put the scholarship towards her tuition. As a first-generation college student, this scholarship significantly eases the financial burden, allowing Ari to focus more on her studies and less on the stress of tuition fees.
DREAMS ON THE HORIZON
With aspirations of working remotely and traveling the world, Ari’s dreams are big and bold — just like our Taco Bell menu items!
Receiving the Border Foods Scholarship has motivated Ari to excel both academically and professionally. “Overall, I feel like it’s going to help motivate me to do more in school and more at Taco Bell,” she says. This dual reward system fosters a sense of accomplishment and motivation that is truly inspiring!
And, of course, no story about a Taco Bell employee would be complete without a mention of a favorite menu item. For Ari, it’s the Cantina Quesadilla. A delicious choice, indeed!
