A routine shift turned into a life-changing moment for one Chick-fil-A employee in Northern California.
According to ABC7, Danna Avila, a 22-year-old University of California, Berkeley student, was working at a Chick-fil-A location in Emeryville when she was unexpectedly recognized by the company’s CEO, Andrew T. Cathy, with a $25,000 scholarship.
Avila, who is originally from San Jose, has balanced academics at UC Berkeley with her job at Chick-fil-A, where she previously worked at a Sunnyvale location and continues to return during school breaks.
Her dedication didn’t go unnoticed. Cathy personally delivered the news, highlighting Avila’s track record both inside and outside the restaurant.
“She’s worked really, really hard to keep up her grades, a volunteer in the community,” he said. “She’s had a lot of leadership roles here in the restaurant… and we just want to come along and help support her.”
The surprise quickly turned emotional as Avila’s family joined her at the restaurant. Surrounded by loved ones—and even a Chick-fil-A cow mascot—she struggled to put the moment into words.
“The journey has been so long and difficult,” Avila said. “Getting an opportunity like this… I can’t even put into words how thankful I am.”
A first-generation college student, Avila has her sights set on medical school, with the goal of becoming an oncologist. She pointed to gaps in healthcare as a driving force behind her ambitions.
“The healthcare system is very much broken,” she said. “If I could give back to my community… it would be amazing.”
The scholarship awarded to Avila is part of Chick-fil-A’s broader investment in education through its Remarkable Futures initiative and Community Scholars program. Since launching its scholarship efforts in 1973, the company has contributed over $200 million to support students pursuing higher education.
In 2026 alone, Chick-fil-A is allocating $29 million in scholarships to more than 16,000 team members across the country. Among those awards are a select number of $25,000 scholarships, given to individuals who demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership, and community involvement.
