The Sponsor A+ Scholar Wine and Food Tasting Extravaganza, which will be held next week, aids about 20 freshmen annually. To qualify for the scholarship, students must have good grades and ACT scores, and they have to show leadership skills. These students learn about the program through the Nicholls high school recruiter, who goes to various schools.

Also, this program is a way in which Nicholls recruits students to attend because only students attending Nicholls can get the scholarship.

Dr. David Boudreaux, vice president for institutional advancement, said high school students who qualify for the program will be notified by the recruiter.

For one year, qualified students get the chance to get $250 per semester for one year.

The Wine and Food Tasting Extravaganza will be held on Oct. 10 from 7-10 p.m. at the Thibodaux Civic Center.

Bought in advance, tickets are $50 per couple for any Nicholls faculty and student who purchases the ticket from his department and $75 for couples not affiliated with Nicholls. Also, tickets can be bought individually for $50.

Approximately 15 to 16 vendors are going to be at this year’s event.

“There are going to be some of the region’s finest restaurants and wine distributors,” Boudreaux said.

There will be a live band playing at this event. Attendants can have all the food they can eat and drink responsibly. These vendors supply the food and drinks free of charge; therefore, they make a big donation to the program.

“They are the key,” Boudreaux said.

A silent and live auction will also take place, with some of the finest wine and artwork up for grabs. Some of these art works include some Saints memorabilia and Salvador Dali pieces.

“(I) Hope attendance is bigger than last year,” Boudreaux said. Last year there were over 500 people who attended the program, hence the reason why 20 students were awarded scholarships.

A student from a department will be awarded a scholarship if that department purchases $500 worth of tickets. Also, that department becomes a sponsor.