NEW YORK — National Retail Federation celebrated some of the industry’s stars while raising money to develop future leaders at the 2016 NRF Foundation Gala, held Sunday night on Manhattan’s west side. The second annual event, held in conjunction with NRF’s Big Show, raised $1.6 million for scholarships and other efforts aimed at promoting retailing as a career and developing  the next generation of industry talent.

The NRF Foundation awarded $95,500 in scholarships at the Gala. That included a grant of $25,000 to Emma Jumper, a senior at Mississippi State University, who was the top recipient of the foundation’s 2016 Next Generation scholarship.

“The NRF Foundation created the Next Generation Scholarship to recognize students who will have a long lasting impact on retail,” said HSNi CEO and NRF Foundation chair Mindy Grossman. “I am so impressed by the caliber of our finalists this year. They truly stood out as talented, driven and passionate students who are going to do amazing things.”