SEMA awards $100,000 to students and recent graduates pursuing careers in the automotive industry

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced the winners of the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, which helps students pursuing automotive-related careers pay for college tuition and helps employees of SEMA member companies pay off student loans. This year, SEMA awarded a combined total of $100,000 in scholarship and loan forgiveness awards to 50 individuals.

The SEMA scholarship and loan forgiveness programs help foster the next generation of automotive industry leaders by supporting students and recent graduates as they begin their education and careers.

“We were impressed by the knowledge and passion for the industry that shined through the applications of this year’s winners,” said SEMA Project Manager of Recognition Programs Joe Escobar. “By selecting 50 winners, we are supporting 50 careers that will have a positive impact on the future of the automotive aftermarket, and we couldn’t be prouder of the people we’ve selected to chart the course.”

More than $3 million has been awarded to deserving students since the program's establishment in 1984. Online applications for next year’s awards will open Jan. 1, 2027, at www.sema.org/scholarships.

SEMA Scholarship Award Winners

Recipient (Institution, Major) – Award Designation (if applicable)

Mark A. Alvarez (Pitt Community College, Automation Technology)
Jayden Amos (University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering) – FLN Award
Aaron H. Bastian (Old Dominion University, Mechanical Engineering Technology) – Wally Parks Award
John Bedell (University of Texas at Austin, Aerospace Aeronautical)
Drake B. Bellessa (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Electrical Engineering) – ETTN Award
Farrah Berry (Stanford University, Mechanical Engineering)
Maxwell W. Caldwell (Pittsburg State University, Career & Technical Education)
Christopher P. Choquette (Grand Canyon University, Business)
Danika M. Cox (Michigan Technological University, Mechanical Engineering) – Trudy Thompson Award
Clancy J. Cummings (McPherson College, Automotive Technology) – HRIA Award
Avery H. Driscoll (Colorado School of Mines, Materials Engineering) – Jim A. Borre Award
Jack Freeman (University at Buffalo, Mechanical Engineering) – Chris Raschke Award
Evan A. Grossardt (WyoTech, Autobody Collision) – TORA Award
Ethan Hammontree (Southern Methodist University, Business)
William B. Herman (University of Notre Dame, Mechanical Engineering)
Luke M. Higginbotham (Auburn University, Mechanical Engineering) – Steve Woomer Award
Ryan M. Hoff (Florida State College at Jacksonville, Engineering)
Jadyn Jessen (University of Central Florida, Mechanical Engineering)
Evan C. Jezek (Pennsylvania College of Technology, Welding) – Joseph B. Amato, Sr. Award
Braydon M. Kennedy (Anderson University, Mechanical Engineering)
Jordan Lei (University of Waterloo, Computer Engineering)
Maxwell A. Mamishev (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Electrical Engineering)
Cristian B. Martins (McPherson College, Automotive Technology) – ARMO Award
John B. Morris (McPherson College, Automotive Restoration)
William O. Nollette (South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Mechanical Engineering) – WTSBC Award
Thomas Olayvar (Los Angeles Pierce College, Automotive Technology) – PRO Award
Cole Paradis (University of Northwestern Ohio, Automation Technology) – Mike Kunzman Award
Julia M. Pieri (Florida State University, Accounting)
Camden G. Rassel (University of Northwestern Ohio, Automotive Technician) – Melvin Burton Award
Katarina Schafer (Mohawk College, Mechanical Engineering Technology) – SBN Award
Elle E. Scranton (California State University-Fullerton, Business, Management) – Leo Kagan Award
Cameron J. Seals (University of Maryland Global Campus, Automotive Technology)
Samantha Septer (Belmont Abbey College, Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies)
Atticus Temple (McPherson College, Automotive Technology)
Cameron T. Tolbert (Heartland Community College, Automotive Technician) – Dave Killackey Award
Isabel S. Tuman (Weber State University, Automotive Technology) – Nat Danas Award
Ethan F. Watrous (University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Automotive Engineering and Technology) – Joe Hrudka Award
Shaun T. Weaver (Purdue University-Main Campus, Motorsports Engineering) – Dan Borré Award
Grant T. Wilson (Ohio State University-Main Campus, Chemical Engineering) – Harlan Felder Award
Isaac SK Yong (Purdue University-Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering)

SEMA Loan Forgiveness Award Winners

Recipient (Employer, Institution, Major)

Elizabeth Busniewski (MagnaFlow, Northwood University, Automotive Aftermarket)
Leslie P. Fitch (Coats Company, Mid-Continent University, Business, Management)
Kristi Fogwell (AMS OSRAM Sylvania, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, Marketing)
Austin M. Holland (King Shocks, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, Mechanical Engineering)
Dallas Johannes (ALP USA – SoffSeal, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, Data Analysis)
Teresa Lang (Stellantis, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Engineering)
Jordan Mosher (Diode Dynamics, Lindenwood University, Advertising & Strategic Communications)
Hailey J. Petsch (Honda, Arizona State University Campus Immersion, Mechanical Engineering)
Michael L. Sanata (JEGS High Performance, Kent State University at Kent, Fine Arts)
Carly E. Truhler (Motor State Distributing – Lane Automotive Inc., Indiana University-Bloomington, Business)

About SEMA

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) serves as a leading voice for the worldwide car culture, representing over 7,000 member companies that create, buy, sell, and use specialty-automotive parts that make vehicles more unique, attractive, convenient, safer, fun, and even like new again. Business member benefits include product development resources, market research, networking, education, legislative advocacy, and more. The Association organizes the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., and actively supports the career and business opportunities that the aftermarket generates. The industry contributes nearly $337 billion in economic impact to the U.S. economy, supports 1.3 million jobs nationally, and generates nearly $53 billion in parts sales annually.

For more information, visit www.sema.org.

Featured Image: Last year's scholarship winners were honored at the 2025 SEMA Show.

Tagged: Joe Escobar

2026 SEMA Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness Award Winners Announced