The Winners' Circle: Mercedes-Benz Drive Your Future Scholarship Program Turns Dreams into Reality for First-Generation College-Bound Students; 150 Students Across The Nation To Receive $1.5 Million In Scholarships
MONTVALE, N.J.--May 30, 2006--Sometimes all it takes is a helping hand to make great things happen. In announcing the recipients of the 2006 DRIVE YOUR FUTURE Scholarship Program, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) aims to help first generation college-bound students achieve their academic goals and become part of the next generation of business, community and global leaders.Additionally, this year MBUSA launched the DRIVE YOUR FUTURE Performance Awards, an extension of the national scholarship program, through which 50 scholarships will be awarded to students who plan to pursue degrees in music, theater, dance or film.
Overall, Mercedes-Benz with support from its dealers nationwide, will provide $1.5 million in scholarship funding to 150 students. Each student will receive a $10,000 award -- $2,500 per year for four years. Selected from an applicant pool of over 8,000 students, this year's award recipients were chosen for their exceptional achievement in the areas of academic performance, leadership and school and community activities. All of the DRIVE YOUR FUTURE award recipients are the first generation in their families to pursue a college education.
"DRIVE YOUR FUTURE celebrates the successes of these students who will one day become leaders in business, engineering, technology and the arts," said Paul Halata, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. "Their dedication to excellence, hard work and an anything-is-possible mindset is truly impressive. Going to college is an extraordinary achievement for any young person, but rising tuition costs have made higher education more and more difficult to afford. Mercedes-Benz congratulates the 150 students that were selected for the 2006 DRIVE YOUR FUTURE scholarship and we salute their accomplishment as the first generation in their families to attend college."
"Every opportunity is important to me and this scholarship is valuable and essential towards my college education," said Dongling An, 2006 DRIVE YOUR FUTURE recipient. "As the first generation in my family to attend college, they are putting all their faith in me. They are all counting on me to graduate from college."
"According to recent research, more than 70 percent of students said that student loans were very or extremely important in allowing them access to education after high school," said Barb Weber, assistant vice president of Scholarship America. "The importance of scholarship programs, such as DRIVE YOUR FUTURE, is imperative in helping all students move forward with college enrollment."
Now in its third year, the DRIVE YOUR FUTURE program was developed to respond to a critical need for scholarships to help students offset the costs of postsecondary education. Administered by Scholarship America, DRIVE YOUR FUTURE is part of MBUSA's broader philanthropic initiative aimed at educating and empowering future generations by helping young people reach their full potential and become the leaders of their generation. Through support from MBUSA and the fundraising activities of Mercedes-Benz dealers nationwide, DRIVE YOUR FUTURE scholarship awards have tripled since 2004.
In order to grow the "pay it forward" concept, scholarship recipients are asked to serve as "ambassadors of Mercedes-Benz USA philanthropy" by giving back to their communities through activities such as mentoring/tutoring younger students, working with Boys and Girls Clubs or Big Brothers Big Sisters, among other activities. To date, over 800 students will benefit from DRIVE YOUR FUTURE and will, in turn, give back in some way to help someone else achieve his/her dreams.
As part of the 2006 program, the DRIVE YOUR FUTURE Performance Awards will establish scholarships for those majoring in music, theater/drama, dance and film. These 50 awards will be funded through sales of 750 Premier Edition GL-Class vehicles, now available at Mercedes-Benz dealerships nationwide. Furthering its commitment to education, MBUSA will donate an additional $1 million to the Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Arts and Music Education Initiative (NAMEI), also through Premier Edition GL-Class vehicle sales. EIF's NAMEI was developed to help reverse declining public resources available for arts education.
Committed to the communities in which employees live and work, MBUSA has also built alliances with a number of youth organizations across the country. The company supports many of these efforts through employee volunteer activities, mentoring and community outreach efforts. Philanthropic initiatives are reviewed and implemented through MBUSA corporate headquarters in Montvale, N.J., and through its six regional offices around the country. For more information, interested students may visit www.mbusa.com/drivefuture.
Mercedes-Benz USA
In 2005, MBUSA achieved its twelfth consecutive year of sales growth by setting the highest sales volume in its history with 224,421 new vehicle sales. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., MBUSA is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com.
Scholarship America
Scholarship America is a national nonprofit organization that expands access to educational opportunities by involving and assisting the private sector in the support of students and the encouragement of educational achievement. More information is available at www.scholarshipamerica.org.
College on Credit: How Borrowers Perceive Their Education Debt (Nellie Mae)
2006 DRIVE YOUR FUTURE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
State First Name Last Name Home Town High School College
A.J. Dimond Stanford
AK Jae Chung Anchorage High School University
Jacksonville
A.P. Brewer State
AL Brittany Edwards Joppa High School University
University of
Walker High Alabama at
AL Meghan Gillott Oakman School Birmingham
Athens High University of
AL Bethany Knowles Athens School Alabama
Wilcox
AL Deidra Maness Camden Academy Judson College
Walker High University of
AL Christopher Medders Jasper School Alabama
Little Rock Colorado
Christian Christian
AR B. Allyson Shelton Little Rock Academy University
Santa Cruz
Valley Union University of
AZ Roy Garrison Eloy High School Arizona
University of
Oakland High California:
CA Winnie Chan Oakland School Berkeley
Lodi High Georgetown
CA Beverly Elithorp Lockeford School University
The Preuss Stanford
CA Christopher Khavarian San Diego School UCSD University
CA Lai Fey Saetern Oakland Life Academy Pitzer College
Santa San Marcos
CA Erin Satterthwaite Barbara High School Pomona College
University of
Bella Vista California:
CA Andre Smiljic Orangevale High School Berkeley
Jefferson
CO Amber Dhority Arvada Academy Regis University
Mark T.
Sheehan High Princeton
CT Lila Cheung Wallingford School University
School Ohio State
Without University:
DC Dongling An Washington Walls Columbus Campus
Wilmington
Christian
DE Andrew Rhoades Wilmington School Messiah College
Wolfson High University of
FL Rijana Hadziavdic Jacksonville School North Florida
Florida
Homestead Sr. International
FL Laura Nibot Homestead High School University
Royal Palm
Beach University of
FL Brandon Schumacher Loxahatchee Community Notre Dame
RASG Hebrew Yeshiva
FL Mor Shoshana Sunny Isles Academy University
Ridgeland University of
GA Shannon Carroll Flintstone High School Georgia
Bradwell Mercer
GA Paul Leachman Hinesville Institute University
Forest Park Georgia State
GA Gabriel Zaragoza Atlanta High School University
Kaimuki High University of
HI Michelle Nguyen Honolulu School San Francisco
University of
Kalani High Southern
HI Donna Shiu Honolulu School California
University
Laboratory Pepperdine
HI Krystal Zheng Honolulu School University
Charles City University of
IA Lucas Leidal Charles City High School Northern Iowa
Jerome High University of
ID Cody Luper Jerome School Idaho
Westmer
IL Crystal Comer New Boston Secondary Central College
Northside
College Prep University of
IL Anisa Isap Chicago High School Chicago
University of
Illinois at
East Aurora Urbana-
IL Jared Marchiando Aurora High School Champaign
Kankakee
Valley High Belmont
IN Ashton DeVries DeMotte School University
Marion High Purdue
IN Jamie Elliott Marion School University
Massachusetts
Parsons High Institute of
KS Ryan Breneman Parsons School Technology
Paola High John Brown
KS Corey Campbell Paola School University
Washburn
Oskaloosa University of
KS Cody Heston Oskaloosa High School Topeka
North Bullitt University of
KY Sara Gleason Louisville High School Louisville
Pine Prairie Louisiana
LA Bridgett Jackson Ville Platte High School College
Boston Latin
MA Zi Wen Chen Boston School Harvard College
John F. Massachusetts
Silver Kennedy High Institute of
MD YeSeul Kim Spring School Technology
Lawrence High Liberty
ME Chelsey Fortin Waterville School University
St. Johns Michigan State
MI Jessica Rademacher St. Johns High School University
Creston High Michigan State
MI Megan Threats Grand Rapids School University
Marshall
Senior High College of St.
MN Kimberly Wischer Marshall School Scholastica
Washington
Verona High University in
MO Rosario Silva Verona School St. Louis
Savannah College
Mercy Cross of Art and
MS Amy Fairley Biloxi High School Design
Lincoln
County High University of
MT Shalane Hofstee Eureka School Miami
South Rowan Campbell
NC Heavan Turman China Grove High School University
MLS-Mohall Minot State
ND Brock Romine Mohall High School University
South Platte North Central
NE Stephanie Palser Big Springs High School University
Centura High Northwestern
NE Lindsey Phelps Boelus School College
Raymond High
NH Dominique White Raymond School Boston College
Madison High University of
NJ Hend Abdallah Madison School Virginia
Penn State
Seneca High University -
NJ D. Wesley Brogden Tabernacle School University Park
Rancocas
Valley
Regional Cornell
NJ Sarah Buller Lumberton High School University
Creative Arts
NJ Chaliyah Valentine Camden High School Rowan University
Dr.Brimm
Medical Arts
NJ Michael Wallenburg Camden High School Rider University
Cliff High New Mexico State
NM Caleb Kartchner Buckhorn School University
Laughlin High University of
NV Gracie Geremia Laughlin School Nevada: Reno
Babylon High New York
NY Jennifer Demeno Babylon School University
Rensselaer
Dover Sr. Polytechnic
NY William Kingston III Dover Plains High School Institute
Young Women's
Leadership
NY Ivana Lebron Bronx School Ithaca College
HS of
Jackson Economics &
NY Alison Lin Heights Finance Barnard College
Automotive Stony Brook
NY Thomas Lombardo Brooklyn High School University
Long Island
Automotive University:
NY Sandra Moise Brooklyn High School Brooklyn Campus
New Hyde Park
New Hyde Memorial Georgetown
NY Katelyn Payne Park High School University
Flushing High
NY Amanda Siu Flushing School Pace University
Young Women's
Leadership Gettysburg
NY Alendi Vidal New York School College
State University
NYC Lab of New York at
NY Shiu Ann Woo New York School Albany
NYC Lab Northeastern
NY Ai Ling Yu New York School University
Seneca East University of
OH Trina Hosang Attica High School Findlay
Sidney High Ashland
OH Kara Johnson Sidney School University
Virginia
Polytechnic
Institute and
Patrick Henry State
OH Megan Sunderman Hamler High School University
California
Polytechnic
State
Yukon High University: San
OK Alice Horn Yukon School Luis Obispo
Madison High University of
OR My-Dung Tran Portland School Portland
Columbia
Univeristy -
Honesdale Columbia
PA Austin Brauser Beach Lake High School College
West Indiana
Allegheny University of
PA Adriane McGraw Imperial High School Pennsylvania
Otto-Eldred
Jr/Sr High Susquehanna
PA Morgan Rhinehart Eldred School University
University of
Puerto Rico:
Miguel de Bayamon
Cervantes University
PR Angie Torres Bayamon Saavedra College
West Warwick Russell Sage
RI Amanda Levesque West Warwick High School College
Belton-Honea
Path High Clemson
SC Savannah Stone Belton School University
South Dakota
Summit High State
SD Rebecca Zirbel Ortley School University
Lawrence University of
County High Tennessee:
TN Samantha Cox Lawrenceburg School Chattanooga
Collierville University of
TN Normand Hachey Collierville High School Texas at Austin
York
Agricultural Carson-Newman
TN Emily Pile Jamestown Institute College
Union City University of
TN Ebonee Trice Union City High School Memphis
Sam Houston University of
TX Hoai Xuan Phan Arlington High School Notre Dame
Zapata High
TX Fernando Reyes Zapata School Yale University
North Crowley University of
TX Lynda Tang Fort Worth High School Texas at Austin
Dunbar High University of
TX Jumesha Whitaker Fort Worth School Oklahoma
Cypress Creek University of
TX Christina Yi Houston High School Pennsylvania
West Valley Granger High University of
UT Michael Vongsengkeo City School Utah
Clover Hill
VA Michelle Han Midlothian High School Brown University
Burr and
Noguera- Burton
VT Daniela Garces Sunderland Academy Harvard College
Robert A Long
WA Ashley Anderson Longview High School Brown University
Mishicot High Milwaukee
School
WI Kevin Krajnik Mishicot School of Engineering
Philip Alderson-
Barbour High Broaddus
WV Michelle Duckworth Moatsville School College
Rawlins High University of
WY Dorin Blodgett Rawlins School Wyoming
DRIVE YOUR FUTURE PERFORMANCE AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Zion Chapel High Troy State
AL Donna Flowers Jack School University
University of
Dermott High Arkansas at
AR Whitney Johnson Dermott School Little Rock
Chandler High Clark Atlanta
AZ VaJillian Walters Phoenix School University
Lake El Toro High Princeton
CA Brian Kim Forest School University
University of
Los Beverly Hills Southern
CA Brittney Vasquez Angeles High School California
Conifer High New Mexico State
CO Katelyn Attanasio Morrison School University
Stonington High Franklin Pierce
CT Maryanne Whitford Mystic School College
North Carolina
Paul Lawrence Agricultural and
Dunbar High Technical State
DC Jebbeh Massaquoi Washington School University
Cypress Lake HS Southeastern
Center of the College of the
FL Ruben Castro Fort Myers Arts Assemblies of God
Winter Winter Haven Sr. University of
FL Zachary Hale Haven High School South Florida
Dekalb School of Florida State
GA Christopher Watson Decatur the Arts University
Art Institute of
HI Daniele Comeaux Hana Hana High School Portland
Bettendorf High
IA Andrew Edmark Bettendof School University of Iowa
Coeur d'Alene
Dalton Senior High University of
ID Holly Blanchette Gardens School Idaho
Marist High St. Xavier
IL Melissa Lonski Chicago School University
Truman State
IL Marcia Schroeder Alton Alton High School University
Baxter Baxter Springs Pittsburg State
KS Skye Hart Springs High School University
Danville High University of
KY Kimberly Milburn Danville School Memphis
American Musical
Caddo Magnet High and Dramatic
LA Destin Bass Shreveport School Academy
St. Peter Marian
MA Evelyn Pantos Worcester High School Clark University
Broadfording
Clear Christian Lancaster Bible
MD Hannah Bywaters Spring Academy College
Jefferson High Bowling Green
MI Kelsi Milam Newport School State University
Central Michigan
MI Ashley Wolfe Yale Yale High School University
Park Park Rapids Area College of St.
MN Stephanie Kueber Rapids High School Benedict
MO Christine Peterson Arnold Fox High School Webster University
Harrison Central Clark Atlanta
MS Cassanora Lampley Gulfport High School University
Musicians
MT Lee Mickelson Libby Libby High School Institute
University of
T.C. Roberson North Carolina at
NC Hayley Loy Fletcher High School Greensboro
Jackson Memorial
NJ Samantha Amaral Jackson High School Fordham University
Pojoaque High University of New
NM Tamara Martinez Chimayo School Mexico
Carson Carson High William Penn
NV Cassandra Bowman City School University
City University of
Norman Thomas New York: Hunter
NY Melissa Gonzalez New York High School College
University of
OH Lauren Denham Uniontown Lake High School Akron
North College University of
OH Rickey Logan Cincinnati Hill High School Cincinnati
Verdigris High Northeastern State
OK Douglas BranstetterClaremore School University
University of
OR Cecilia Raabe Baker City Homeschooled Portland
Ford City High Point Park
PA Lindsay Huet Ford City School University
Dra. Conchita
Cuevas High University of the
PR Jose Toledo Gurabo School Sacred Heart
Metropolitan
Regional Career
& Technical
RI Shaneequa Lee Providence Center Howard University
SC Governor's
School for Arts Shenandoah
SC Jessica Ker Cayce & Humanities University
Berean Christian
TN Timothy Sunday Jr. Seymour High School Bryan College
University of
TX Jacob Mendoza Waco Waco High School Texas at Austin
Bastrop High University of
TX Brittany Mullen Dale School Texas at Austin
San Benito High Texas A&M
TX Jacqueline Padilla San Benito School University
Academy for Math,
Salt Lake Engineering &
UT Karli Martin City Science University of Utah
North Stafford
VA Darrell Brown Stafford High School Howard University
Mt. Anthony Union
VT Matt Garland Bennington High School Emerson College
Emerald Ridge Pacific Lutheran
WA Jeffrey Tecca Puyallup High School University
Menasha High University of
WI Jennifer Fast Appleton School Wisconsin-Madison
Mineral Parkersburg SouthWest Virginia
WV Nathaniel Sneigle Wells High School University