SU's Disbennett Wins $7,500 in Scholarships Through Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week Contest

Friday October 11, 2019

Leah Disbennett check presentation — Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair and Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, center, with SU President Charles Wight, presented a ceremonial check for $7,500 to Shop Maryland Tax Free Week photo/video contest winner Leah Disbennett during a festive celebration also featuring SU cheerleaders and Sammy the Sea Gull. Other dignitaries in attendance included Wicomico County Council President John Cannon, Salisbury City Council President Jack Heath and members of the Disbennett family.

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University sophomore Leah Disbennett knows a deal when she sees one.

That’s why she went shopping in August during Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week, during which sales tax is waived for clothes and shoes costing $100 or less. Capturing her buying spree on video, however, netted her an even bigger bargain: $7,500 off her college tuition.

During a visit to campus today, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot surprised the psychology major from Hebron, MD, with a $2,500 scholarship as the winner of this year’s Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week student photo/video contest, co-sponsored by his office and the Maryland Retailers Association.

SU and the University System of Maryland Foundation each matched the award for a total of $7,500.

As part of his presentation, Franchot also praised SU, calling it “the Yale University of Maryland, numero uno [and] a hidden gem.”

For the contest, entrants were asked to post Maryland-themed photos or videos of their shopping experiences that week on social media with the hashtag #ShopMDTaxFree. Disbennett’s video is available online.

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website.