SEMA Awards $99K in Scholarships and Loan Forgiveness

SEMA is investing in the next generation of auto repair and restoration professionals — and we’re all for it.

Each year, the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund dishes out cash to help students pursuing careers in the automotive world, as well as current industry workers who are chipping away at student debt. This year, SEMA handed out a cool $99,500 to 50 individuals — from restoration students to engineers, welders, business majors, and even a journalist.

“This year’s scholarship recipients embody the innovative spirit, relentless drive, and unwavering passion the industry needs for future growth,” Jose Escobar, SEMA’s project manager of recognition programs, said in a news release.

The award winners come from all corners of the industry — and the country. Whether they’re studying Automotive Restoration at McPherson College, Welding at Central Piedmont, or Automotive Technology at Southern Illinois, their paths may be different, but their goals are aligned: build the future of the car world.

Some even took home awards named after legends in the biz — like Nat Danas.

Of course, it’s not just students getting a helping hand. Ten current employees of SEMA-member companies also received loan forgiveness awards to ease the burden of higher education. Honorees work for big names like Edelbrock Group, Stellantis, Power Automedia, and more.

Here’s a list of this year’s winners:

SEMA Scholarship Award Winners

Alex Anthony (Colorado State University-Fort Collins, Mechanical Engineering) – Joe Hrudka Award
Zachary Been (Oklahoma State University-Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering) – Dan Borré Award
Benjamin Carter (University of Alabama, Mechanical Engineering)
Mason Cox (McPherson College, Automotive Restoration) – ARMO Award
Carter Cygan (Kansas State University, Mechanical Engineering)
Salvador Diaz-Santos (Allan Hancock College, Automotive Technician) – Melvin Burton Award
Tara Feeney (McPherson College, Automotive)
Jacob Gubin (University of Wisconsin-Madison, Mechanical Engineering)
Angel Gutierrez Saavedra (East Los Angeles College, Automation Technology)
Vincent Hobart (Pittsburg State University, Education) – FLN Award
Andrew Hoppen (University of North Carolina, Mechanical Engineering) – Wally Parks Award
Robert Jacobs (Belmont Abbey College, Automotive) – Nat Danas Award
LeeRoy Jenkins (Harvard University, Biology) – Steve Woomer Award
Evan Jezek (Central Piedmont Community College, Welding)
Kaitlyn Kreeger (Purdue University-Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering)
Gabriella Kuebler (University of Akron, Mechanical Engineering Technology) – ETTN Award
Emma Lumpkin (Georgia Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering) – PRO Award
Marshall McClain (Belmont Abbey College, Motorsport Management) – Mike Kunzman Award
Cade McCullough (Clemson University, Automotive Engineering & Technology) – TORA Award
Michael McGuire (Brigham Young University-Provo, Mechanical Engineering)
Fletcher Meadows (Clemson University, Automotive Engineering & Technology)
Loris Mucciante (Long Beach City College, Mechanical Engineering) – HRIA Award
Bethany Myers (Jefferson Community and Technical College, Automotive)
Nikki Novick (Duquesne University, Journalism)
Chiara Ortiz (Georgia Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering) – Bernie Karp Award
Chase Palm (Augustana College, Marketing)
Bryce Parish (LeTourneau University, Mechanical Engineering) – WTSBC Award
Nicole Pasterski (Indiana State University, Automotive Technology)
Adi Patel (University of Texas at Austin, Architectural Engineering) – Jim A. Borré Award
James Pounders (Colorado State University-Fort Collins, Business, Management)
Elliot Rahman (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Automotive Technology)
Kristy Rubino (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Automotive Technology) – SBN Award
Owen Scott (University of the Pacific, Mechanical Engineering)
Elle Scranton (California State University-Fullerton, Business, Management) – K&N Engineering Award
Hadley Smith (Clemson University, Automotive Engineering & Technology) – Leo Kagan Award
Ainsley Stephenson (Colorado School of Mines, Mechanical Engineering)
Alyssa Sullivan (Seward County Community College, Autobody Collision)
John Thrash (WyoTech, Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician)
Jase Wanamaker (Cedarville University, Sports, Recreation, & Leisure Studies) – Harlan Felder Award
Kaliah Watkins (California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, Mechanical Engineering) – Trudy Thompson Award

SEMA Loan Forgiveness Award Winners

Grayson Bond (Diode Dynamics, LLC)
Zachary Dosey (Daifuku)
Ian Johnson (Aftermarket Performance Express, Apex Wheels)
Caecey Killian (Power Automedia)
Teresa Lang (Stellantis)
Kim Long Le (Mod In Japan)
Morgan Main (Yanfeng Automotive Interiors)
Sarah Sawda (Coats Company)
Nicolaus Wolfrum (Jim’s Automotive Machine Shop, Inc.)
Gunnar Wulff (Edelbrock Group)

SEMA’s been handing out these awards since 1984, and to date, they’ve given more than $3 million to help folks launch or grow their careers in the aftermarket. If you’re a student or industry pro who loves this craft and could use a little financial boost, apply next January at www.sema.org/scholarships.

In the meantime, let’s give a round of applause to this year’s winners. The future of our industry looks bright.