Two Local College Students Win Scholarship for Helping Businesses During Pandemic

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.

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