LUSK ­– This month, recent graduate Deanna West was one of three students who received the Subway Fresh Start Scholarship. The scholarship is open to students from the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Australia, who have been employed at Subway for at least six months.

From her work at Subway, West said she has learned time management, communication, people skills and professionalism. In August, West will be attending Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, where she plans to study criminal justice.

“I’ve always wanted to do it, since like seventh or eighth grade,” she said. West said this interest stems from several family members including her aunt and her mom (who has been in the field for 15 years).

“I was doing more research on it, and I just really fell in love with it,” she said. West said she does not have a specific career in mind yet.

West moved to Lusk when she was eight years old, after living in Texas and Iowa.

When she is not working or at school, she likes to spend time with friends and family.

West said she heard about the Subway Fresh Start Scholarship Program from Tyler Schiele, the owner of Lusk’s Subway. Her application took 15 to 20 minutes and included essay questions about herself and her future plans. She also turned in a transcript, college acceptance letter and resume.

According to the online application, recipients are chosen based on academic record, demonstrated leadership, community involvement, honors, work experience, statement of career and personal goals, personal or family circumstances and a recommendation. 

“I was notified about a month ago that I was one of the ten finalists,” she said. One June 11, when West found she had been chosen as one of the three $2,500 scholarship recipients, she remembers being surprised.

Schiele said there were thousands of applicants, from the 25,000 Subway restaurants around the country. He said the scholarship was started by Frederick DeLuca, the man who started the Subway chain, and his wife.

“Like me, they believed in education, growth, and not just passing time by, but always trying to develop your skills,” Schiele said.

West will be able to apply for the scholarship again, while in college, provided she continues to work at a Subway restaurant, according to the application requirements.

West said she has been working at Subway for several months. For the scholarship, Schiele said he had to verify West was a good standing employee and he wrote a recommendation.

Schiele mentioned her academic honors, involvement in speech and debate and position managing the track and field team.

Part of the recommendation read, “she proudly works part-time at her local Subway, unconsciously and selflessly serves as a positive role model for her younger siblings, and helps her single mother make ends meet with her kindness, time and finances. She is the epitome of a student who is just right for this scholarship.”

“I retired from the army with over 23 years of service as an officer. I know what leadership looks like. I know what drive looks like,” Schiele said. “She’s responsible and good to have around.”