The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Memorial ScholarshipFund awarded a record $120,000 in scholarship to students workingtowards careers in the automotive industry earlier this year. Seventy-two young adults were awarded scholarships between $1,000 and$3,000.
SEMA Scholarship Poster D...
"SEMA has been fueling the future of the specialty equipment industryfor more than 20 years now and we are very proud of our awards, as wellas these students who have received them," said Mike Spagnola, SEMAscholarship committee chairman and president of Street Scene Equipment.
Established in 1984, the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund has suppliedmore than $500,000 in scholarship awards over the past two decades. Students from 37 states have benefited this year, with academic coursework ranging from international studies and marketing, to auto dieseland high performance technology.
The program rewards only the best and brightest students engaged instudies leading to a career in the automotive specialty equipmentindustry or a related field. Sophomores in 2-year universities orcolleges, and students in vocational or technical schools received$1,000. Graduates and undergraduates with at least a junior standing ata 4-year school received $2,000 to $3,000. All students must have aminimum 2.5 grade-point average and be enrolled in an accrediteduniversity, college or proprietary program.
In addition, fourteen scholarships were awarded to relatives andemployees of SEMA member companies, including: Olea Exhibits & Displays;First Generation Camaros; Grrreat Creations G.C.I. Inc.; SmittybiltAutomotive Group; Felt Automotive; Tial Products; Access RPM YellowPages; Reliable Automotive; Spirit Industries; Marketing Matters;Keystone Automotive; Grant Products; and Considine Sales & Marketing.
For the second year in a row, SEMA awarded the Loan ForgivenessScholarship Award to qualified graduates with outstanding student loanswho have worked at a SEMA member company for at least one year. Thisprogram was developed as further incentive for students to seekemployment in the automotive specialty equipment industry upongraduation. Eight employees of SEMA member companies received $1,000paid directly to their loan company to satisfy outstanding studentloans. Those member companies include: Shur-Co; ANSA Automotive PartsDistributors; Skyjacker Suspensions; Summit Racing Equipment; DirectLine; ProMedia publishing; Competition Cams, Inc.; MB Marketing &Manufacturing; Automotive Manufacturing Group; TransamericanWholesale-Dealer Services; and Sullivana Tire & Auto Service.
For more information on the SEMA Scholarship or to download anapplication visit our website www.sema.org/scholarships or contact SEMA 909-396-0289 ext. 137.
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963,represents the $31 billion specialty automotive industry of 6,466member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data,trends and market growth information for the specialty auto partsindustry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort,convenience and technology products for passenger and recreationalvehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley VistaDr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909/396-0289 or visit www.sema.org and www.enjoythedrive.com.