Piston Foundation
GREENWICH, Conn. – The Piston Foundation has announced that 20 Piston Scholarships have been awarded for 2024, for the fall semester. Since the program’s inception in 2022, The Piston Foundation has granted Piston Scholarships to 53 aspiring students who are training for careers in automotive restoration, collection management, and vintage motorsports.
The Piston Foundation is a public charity that works for the car enthusiast community, aiming to guide more young people down a successful career path with cars through its scholarship programs.
This year, the Foundation saw a significant increase in the quantity and diversity of scholarship applications. Twenty recipients were chosen from among 33 finalists, in 14 states. There are also 10 returning scholars, who have earned scholarships in previous years.
“Each of these scholars is a bright and exciting talent with a passion for collector cars and the drive to learn the skills of automotive restoration,” said Jeff Mason, President and COO of The Piston Foundation. “The Foundation, with the support of donors and partners, is eager to help these students on their journey through college and beyond. Like other Piston Scholars before them, these aspiring technicians will join the collector car community as part of a new generation ready to preserve the past and build the future.”
Piston Scholars receive scholarships of up to $5,000, based on financial need. The scholarships help pay tuition at the automotive school of their choice. This can be any accredited two- or four-year institution.
“The high cost of technical education can deter people from pursuing these skilled trade careers,” added Mason. “Together, the Foundation and our donors are working to remove that barrier.”
The scholarships have been funded by the generous donations of Piston Foundation supporters, Piston Community Partner businesses, and Cars for Piston Scholars on Bring a Trailer.
“The recent increase in interested applicants shows there is a much wider world of aspiring auto technicians in need of career assistance,” said Mason. “So, it’s time to fine-tune the engines and fill up the gas tanks because Piston has never had a stronger reason to build things bigger and better.”
To date, 10 Piston Scholars have graduated from their programs and are now working in the industry.
“As Piston delivers on its mission, this pipeline of new talent is beginning to make an impact,” said Mason.
The 2024 Piston Scholars:
- Annika Ernstrom. San Luis Obispo, Calif., Junior, McPherson College
- Blake Swingle. Columbus, Ohio, Senior, McPherson College
- Carlos Leandry, Bayamon, P.R., Junior, McPherson College
- Cody Kuss. Bremerton, Wash., Junior, McPherson College
- Connor Hecei. Warren, Pa., Sophomore, Pennsylvania College of Technology
- Edwin Buiter, Ireton, Iowa, Senior, McPherson College
- Elias Vasquez, Irving, Texas, Junior, McPherson College
- John Morris. San Anselmo, Calif., Freshman, McPherson College
- Lindzie Archer. McPherson, Kan., Senior, McPherson College
- Marcello Dean, Placerville, Calif., Junior, McPherson College
- Mory Hummell, Franktown, Colo., Freshman, WyoTech
- Nicholas King. Lafayette, Ind., Freshman, McPherson College
- Philip Schieffelin, Limon, Colo., Junior, McPherson College
- Riley Sojka, Wichita, Kan., Senior, McPherson College
- Samson Fisher, Milford, Mich., Freshman, Ferris State University
- Samuel Povod, Palm Coast, Fla., Junior, McPherson College
- Samuel White, Topeka, Kan., Junior, McPherson College
- Tara Feeney, Fort Mcdowell, Ariz., Sophomore, McPherson College
- Thomas Tencer, Seattle, Wash., Junior, McPherson College
- Vincent Ramirez, Afton, Minn., Junior, Worcester Polytechnical Institute
Applications for Spring 2025 scholarships are open now at https://pistonfoundation.org/programs/piston-fund-automotive-scholarship/.
About The Piston Foundation: The Piston Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that helps young car enthusiasts jumpstart a career as classic car technicians. Piston awards tech-school scholarships, connects aspiring technicians with jobs, and champions skilled trade careers in automotive restoration. To shift the classic car workforce from graying into growing, Piston nurtures the passion and talent of the next generation. www.pistonfoundation.org.
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