The American Bus Association Foundation – the largest non-profit organization in the group travel industry, with an emphasis on research and scholarships – announced the 2017 George T. Snyder, Jr. Scholarship winners. The ABA Foundation has awarded scholarships every year for the past two decades. Overall, the ABA Foundation has awarded nearly $900,000 in financial support to more than 260 scholars.
The program was established 20 years ago after the passing of ABA’s former President & CEO, George T. Snyder. Mr. Snyder dedicated his entire professional career to the bus industry, and had a deep commitment to advancing educational opportunities for the next generation.
“For 20 years the ABA Foundation’s George T. Snyder, Jr. Scholarship Program has helped deserving young people pay for their college education,” said ABA Foundation President & CEO Peter J. Pantuso. “This year the ABA Foundation was proud to announce we had $100,000 available in scholarships for our members.”
These scholarships are awarded at a time when the average annual tuition hovers around $9,600 in state and $33,000 at private colleges, which doesn’t include room, board and other expenses.
“Our scholarship recipients represent some of the most promising future leaders in the motorcoach, travel and tourism industry,” said Pantuso. “We are excited to see what they will accomplish, and proud that the ABA Foundation is impacting the next generation.”
The list of winners include:
ABA MEMBER SCHOLARSHIP
Bailey Hoffer, Northfield Lines, Inc.
Bryan Hoover, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
Curtis Herman, Susquehanna Trailways
François Charest- Retting, Volvo Bus North America (Prevost/Nova Bus)
Timm Grant, Missouri History Museum
Holly Lobb, Kreider Farms
Seth Patterson, Answers in Genesis/Creation Museum
ACADEMIC MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
Wendy Li, George Washington University
Luke Zarzecki, University of Vermont
BUS AND TOUR OPERATORS SCHOLARSHIP
Jamia Ross, Community Bus Lines
Mary Guarino, New York Trailways
Bryashia Atchison-Henderson, Atchison Transportation Services, Inc.
David Alexander, Anderson Coach & Travel
Bradley Kozikowski, Destinations Unlimited
Mackenzie VanderWolde, Compass Coach
Savanna Castello, Bloom Bus Lines
DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
Shalonda Rountree, Armstrong State University
DRIVING THE FUTURE SCHOLARSHIP
Sydney Barber, Muncie Baker
RON CORNELL SCHOLARSHIP
Kaylee Jay, Thrasher Brothers Trailways
YELLOW RIBBON SCHOLARSHIP
Lori Bloch, University of Pennsylvania
For more information on the ABA Foundation scholarship program, visit https://www.buses.org/aba-foundation/scholarships. ;