DRIVE YOUR FUTURE: The Mercedes-Benz USA Scholarship Program Announces National Winners
Over $460,000 To Be Awarded to College-Bound Students Beginning School This Fall
MONTVALE, N.J., Aug. 19 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) will award over $460,000 this month to college-bound students or those attending vocational school who are winners of the DRIVE YOUR FUTURE: The Mercedes-Benz USA Scholarship Program. Two hundred thirty students across the United States who are the first in their families to attend college will receive $2,000 scholarships to help off-set tuition and school expenses. Developed by MBUSA, DRIVE YOUR FUTURE is a new initiative designed to respond to a critical nationwide need for scholarships to help students pay for increasing college tuition and help off-set the costs of postsecondary education. MBUSA partnered with Scholarship America, the nation's largest sector scholarship and educational support organization, to administer the program.
"Being a foster child, I am completely on my own to finance my education," said Byron Korf of Yuma, Colorado. "So this award will be a tremendous help. I hope to represent you well and appreciate the trust you have put in me."
"Mercedes-Benz owners are among the most successful in the world and our workforce and dealer body are among the most capable in the industry," said Paul Halata, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. "What this gives us is an opportunity, and a responsibility, to help others get to the starting line -- so that they too can achieve success. Through DRIVE YOUR FUTURE, we are reaching out, lending a hand, and providing opportunities for success to the next generation, particularly to those who face challenges."
Three winners from each state will receive scholarships in addition to students from various youth organizations such as Automotive High School, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs, FIRST, Mal Washington Foundation, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, Virtual Enterprises and Young Women's Leadership School. A total of 2,054 graduating seniors nationwide applied for scholarships this year and were evaluated based on academic achievement, financial need, leadership and participation in school and community activities. Honors, work experience, goals and aspirations as well as unusual personal or family circumstances were considered.
Students were invited to apply for scholarships online and through a mailing to U.S. high schools. At least three winners from each state, with the exception of Alaska, will be represented. DRIVE YOUR FUTURE winners will serve as ambassadors of Mercedes-Benz USA Philanthropy by getting involved in volunteer activities in their communities such as mentoring and tutoring younger students.
"This award brings me great honor, as it is one that will be assisting me to be the first in my family to attend college," said Stacey Philliber of Everson, Washington. "Furthering myself in the area of education is of the utmost importance to me and I appreciate the fact that you are giving me the chance to succeed in this goal in my life. I will be giving back to my community through volunteer programs while attending Yale University, serving as a charitable ambassador for Mercedes-Benz USA."
Through the ongoing support of Mercedes-Benz dealers across the country and funds raised during the Mercedes-Benz regional golf championships, the DRIVE YOUR FUTURE fund was increased to allow for more scholarships nationwide. Funds for next year's program are also being raised during the LoveMercedes Tour; a 12-city premier marketing initiative that invites current and potential Mercedes-Benz owners to test drive 2005 models. For every mile driven during the event, MBUSA will donate $1 dollar to the 2005 DRIVE YOUR FUTURE fund for students who reside in LoveMercedes Tour markets.
"You will see great accomplishments from me in the future," said Marisol De Leon of Lake Jackson, Texas. "I plan to continue my work with Teen Court, however I will be searching for a program closer to my university. I'm really looking forward to beginning a new chapter in my life. I feel that college will be a great stepping stone to the future for me."
DRIVE YOUR FUTURE: The Mercedes-Benz USA Scholarship Program is an initiative of MBUSA's philanthropic program which is aimed at educating and empowering future generations. 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 also supports many of these efforts through employee activities and volunteer activities. Philanthropic initiatives are reviewed and implemented through MBUSA corporate headquarters in Montvale, N.J. and through its six regional offices around the country. In February 2005, interested students may visit http://www.mbusa.com/drivefuture to download the DRIVE YOUR FUTURE application and program overview.
Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, N.J., is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2003, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 218,717 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving ten consecutive years of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at http://www.mbusa.com/ and http://www.maybachusa.com/.
Scholarship America
Scholarship America has distributed more than $1 billion dollars to nearly one million students, making it the nation's largest private sector scholarship and educational support organization. For the seventh consecutive year, Scholarship America has been ranked of the nation's most efficient nonprofits by SmartMoney and the Wall Street Journal's magazine of personal finance. Since 1958, Scholarship America has been seeking to involve communities, corporations, organizations, and individuals in the support of students through its programs. Visit http://www.scholarshipamerica.org/ for more information.
2004 DRIVE YOUR FUTURE NATIONAL WINNERS
State First Name Last Name Home Town College
AL Brandy Adams Tarrant University of Alabama in
Huntsville
AL Megan Baxter Grant University of Alabama in
Huntsville
AL Whitney Patton Tuscaloosa University of Alabama
AR Thea Hill Corning Arkansas State University
AR Matthew Hunt Brinkley University of Arkansas
AR Rachael Nambusi Little Rock University of Arkansas
AZ Isaac Jimenez Nogales Gonzaga University
AZ Amber Kapuscinski Quartzsite Arizona State University
AZ Delitha Livingston Whiteriver University of Arizona
CA Christine Dao Long Beach University of California:
Los Angeles
CA Nancy Hua Westminster University of California:
Los Angeles
CA Shirley Leong Castro Valley Johns Hopkins University
CA Luke Rankin Rio Linda Grinnell College
CA Eloy Villanueva Bakersfield Harvard College
CO Byron Korf Yuma Chadron State College
CO Gary Linley Colorado Colorado School of Mines
Springs
CO Brandon Shelstad Colorado Colorado State University:
Springs Pueblo
CT Sanja Benak New Haven University of Pennsylvania
CT Juliette Le Meriden University of Connecticut
CT Kunal Patel Brookfield Yale University
DC Kendra Brown Washington Ursinus College
DC Ta'Shima Oliphant Washington Cheyney University of
Pennsylvania
DC LaToya Tinsley Washington University of Maryland:
Eastern Shore
DE Connie Liang Wilmington University of Delaware
DE Samantha Price Magnolia York College
DE Umsa Uppal Bear University of Delaware
FL Miya Cain Miami Yale University
FL Jhoeny Gomez Fort Myers University of Florida
FL Amber Major Inglis University of Florida
GA Keisha Harvey Dawson Albany State University
GA Jameela McCoy Riverdale Florida Agricultural and
Mechanical University
GA Amy Simpson Rossville Kennesaw State University
HI Alana Kaholokula Kapaa Whitman College
HI Teofilo Samilin Waianae University of Hawaii at
Manoa
HI Mazie Tsang Honolulu University of Notre Dame
IA Sierra Buck Des Moines University of Iowa
IA Sean Burton Des Moines Iowa State University
IA Samantha Sturm Shenandoah Oklahoma State University
ID Brian Elliott Bliss United States Air Force
Academy
ID Shellie Howell Boise Boise State University
ID Rickey Minder Council University of Idaho
IL Jamie Bass Bourbonnais De Paul University
IL Aileen Long Schaumburg University of Pennsylvania
IL Alex Walker Carmi Yale University
IN Adam Boocher South Bend University of Notre Dame
IN Mishele Hunt Marion Ball State University
IN Erin Lehman Laconia Hanover College
KS Cynthia Arzola Stafford Fort Hays State University
KS Beth Holton Sylvia Hutchinson Community College
KS Brittany Small Liberal Sterling College
KY Blake Gies Coxs Creek University of Kentucky
KY Samaria Mason Louisville Fisk University
KY Jettie Powell Benton Campbellsville University
LA Shayla Price Thibodaux Xavier University of
Louisiana
LA Tiffany Taylor New Orleans Howard University
LA Arionne Wells New Orleans Louisiana State University
and Agricultural and
Mechanical
MA Katie Hudon New Bedford Worcester Polytechnic
Institute
MA Alexis Ramirez Lynn Boston University
MA Anielka Sanchez Springfield Smith College
MD Cesar Cartagena Silver Spring University of Chicago
MD Brent Cash Glenarden Duke University
MD Bobby Truong Owings Mills University of Maryland:
College Park
ME Shaun Cote Fort Fairfield University of Southern Maine
ME Kristin Cyr Van Buren St. Joseph's College
ME Alicia Rancourt Waterville Keene State College
MI Emilee Engelsman Zeeland Grand Valley State
University
MI Randal Harris Detroit Xavier University of
Louisiana
MI Latasha Robinson Detroit University of Michigan
MN Fatumo Abdi Minneapolis Minneapolis Community and
Technical College
MN Andrea Hanzlik Saint Paul University of Wisconsin-
River Falls
MN Mandy Kuske Goodridge Northland Community &
Technical College
MO Stephanie Cash Thayer Southwest Missouri State
University
MO Angela Mareschal Saint Louis University of Tulsa
MO Tracy Sambo Saint Louis Washington University in St.
Louis
MS Alana Buford Yazoo City University of Southern
Mississippi
MS Claire Cuevas Moss Point University of Mississippi
MS Christi Wiltcher Meridian William Carey College
MT Douglas Gibbons Dillon University of Washington
MT Bryan Hansen Hamilton Western Washington
University
MT Katie Hoggan Valier Montana State University:
Bozeman
NC Ashley Allen Dunn Campbell University
NC Nicholas Medlin Greensboro University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill
NC John Napoli III Lucama North Carolina State
University
ND Lisa Benz Dickinson University of North Dakota
ND Christina Morin Dunseith Valley City State University
ND Mandi Paluck Dickinson Dickinson State University
NE Heather Fischer Gretna Dana College
NE Katie Fisher Paxton Chadron State College
NE Crystal Keller Naper Dakota State University
NH Nicholas Johnson Franklin Bentley College
NH Courtney Markey Salem Assumption College
NH Sara Thibodeau Goffstown University of Denver
NJ Erica Brown Mount Holly Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State
University
NJ Janet Lau Egg Harbor New York University
Township
NJ Vidhi Parikh North Bergen Rutgers, The State
University of New Jersey:
New Brunswick
NM Kenneth Jordan, Jr. Holloman AFB New Mexico State University
NM Kimberly Padilla Las Vegas Johnson & Wales University
NM LaToya Rush Albuquerque University of Notre Dame
NV Tahnee Padilla Henderson University of Nevada: Las
Vegas
NV Daniel Rocha Pahrump University of Southern
California
NV Charisse Sy Las Vegas Loyola Marymount University
NY Patricia Arena New Windsor Marist College
NY Jennifer Bailey Clyde State University of New York
at Buffalo
NY Alexander Lyndaker Lowville State University of New York
at Oswego
NY Max Tannone South Rensselaer Polytechnic
Kortright Institute
OH Jenell Brownlee Mogadore University of Akron
OH Shawn O'Neill Vandalia Ohio State University:
Columbus Campus
OH Amanda Sprunger Dalton Virginia Marti College of
Art and Design
OK Bethany Dornberger Mannford University of Missouri:
Columbia
OK Alicia Dudek Oklahoma City Oklahoma State University
OK Tyler Wilson Inola Northeastern State
University
OR Justin Millar Milton Oregon Institute of
Freewater Technology
OR Sofia Novitskaia Roseburg George Fox University
OR Heidi Suhrstedt Roseburg Umpqua Community College
PA Jessica Abinosa Sharon Allegheny College
PA Eric Hall Philadelphia University of Pennsylvania
PA Chad Pugh Central City Carnegie Mellon University
PR Yamilet Feliciano Orocovis University of Puerto Rico at
Ponce
PR Victor Ortiz Coamo University of Puerto Rico:
Cayey University College
PR Ramon Tavarez Isabela University of Puerto Rico:
Mayaguez Campus
RI Jacob Acchambault Woonsocket Sacred Heart University
RI Amanda Davis Cranston Rhode Island College
RI Marissa Madonna Cranston Wheelock College
SC Raegan Belk Dillon College of Charleston
SC Tomika Dawson Beaufort University of South Carolina
SC Cortney Ness York College of Charleston
SD Jackie Bohannan Webster North Dakota State
University
SD Kyle Heer Doland South Dakota State
University
SD Adam Rudebusch Castlewood Carleton College
TN Mariannina DeRosa- Knoxville College of Charleston
Morris
TN Ross Hoy Burlison University of Tennessee:
Knoxville
TN Brandon Webb Memphis Tennessee State University
TX Al Barrentine Pflugerville New York University
TX Samuel Liu Houston University of Texas at
Austin
TX Krisandra Pope Amarillo Austin College
UT Camber Boyter Milford Southern Utah University
UT Austin Mayer Milford Southern Utah University
UT Danielle Wade Holden Snow College
VA Marquetta Brown Norfolk Virginia Commonwealth
University
VA Christopher Drayton Chesapeake Culinary Institute of
America
VA Myrisha Lewis Virginia Harvard University
Beach
VT Faith Belyea Ryegate Eastern Nazarene College
VT Meagan Ebare Brownsville Simmons College
VT Ashley Smith Chelsea University of Vermont
WA Nicole Desgro- Yakima Western Washington
sellier University
WA Stacey Philliber Everson Yale University
WA Shana Straub Renton Whitman College
WI Malory Hendrickson Rockland Luther College
WI Erin Singkofer Mosinee Bethel College
WI Sue Xiong Milwaukee University of Wisconsin-
Milwaukee
WV Ashley Clay Wayne University of Charleston
WV Jade Wheeler Mount Clare Shepherd College
WV Robert Williams Seth Georgetown University
WY Kellan Holbrook Casper Ripon College
WY Jessica Rampelburg Evanston Wichita State University
WY Amanda Taylor Evanston University of Utah
2004 DRIVE YOUR FUTURE -- YOUTH ORGANIZATION WINNERS
State First Name Last Name Home Town College Youth Organization
AR Michael Douglas Van Buren University Boys & Girls Clubs
of Arkansas
- Fort Smith
AR Danielle Scantling Waldron Arkansas Tech FIRST
University
CA Brittni Chicuata San Macalester Boys & Girls Clubs
Francisco College
CA Torrey Eckert Escondido Baylor Boys & Girls Clubs
University
CA Yolanda Mendoza Indio University Boys & Girls Clubs
of California:
Berkeley
CA Joshua Ostini Santa California Boys & Girls Clubs
Maria Polytechnic
State University:
San Luis Obispo
CA David Iaea San Diego New York FIRST
University
CO Brent Goodlet Aurora Colorado FIRST
School of Mines
DE Rayna Horsey Bridge- University of FIRST
ville Delaware
FL Franchesca Morris Tampa University of Boys & Girls Clubs
South Florida
FL Shana Rodriguez Hollywood Methodist Boys & Girls Clubs
College
FL Jordan Strickland Jackson- Florida Mal Washington
ville Community Foundation
College at
Jacksonville
GA Wali Rasheed Snellville Savannah State Boys & Girls Clubs
University
IA James Brown Cedar University Big Brothers
Rapids of Iowa Big Sisters
IL Jonathan Wigfall Chicago Morehouse Boys & Girls Clubs
College
IN Stewart Elkins Mishawaka Ball State Big Brothers
University Big Sisters
IN Brittany Sharpe Rushville University of Boys & Girls Clubs
Southern Indiana
IN Tung Ho Indiana- Purdue FIRST
polis University
KS Aaron Poe Greeley Pittsburg State FIRST
University
KY Krystal Deel Frankfort Georgetown Big Brothers
College Big Sisters
MA Michelle Cho Boston George FIRST
Washington
University
MD Lulet Yassin Silver Montgomery Boys & Girls Clubs
Spring College: Takoma
Park Campus
MD Ryan Levin Baltimore University of FIRST
Maryland:
College Park
MI Laura Westrate Holland Hope College FIRST
MS Shaquita Sampson Jackson Jackson State FIRST
University
NC Linhan Nguyen Charlotte University of Big Brothers
North Carolina Big Sisters
at Chapel Hill
NE Amber Shafer Falls City Southeast FIRST
Community
College:
Lincoln Campus
NJ Jamie McFarland Rockaway University of Big Brothers
Delaware Big Sisters
NJ William Carole Millville Rowan FIRST
University
NJ Amanda Erickson Millville Virginia FIRST
Polytechnic
Institute and
State University
NM Jennifer Rodriguez Carlsbad MidAmerica Boys & Girls Clubs
Nazarene
University
NY Raul Chavarria Woodhaven St. Francis Automotive High
College School
NY Miguel Sanchez Brooklyn Universal Automotive High
Technical School
Institute
NY Jheanell Thompson Brooklyn Long Island Automotive High
University: School
Brooklyn Campus
NY Veronica Walters Brooklyn Florida Automotive High
Agricultural School
and Mechanical
University
NY Krystal Vera Bronx State Rush Philanthropic
University of Arts Foundation
New York College
at Buffalo
NY Clive Bento Bronx City University Virtual
of New York: Enterprises,
City College International
NY Carmen Caceres Bronx State Virtual
University of Enterprises,
New York International
College at
Cortland
NY Ying Yu Chen Brooklyn State Virtual
University of Enterprises,
New York at International
Stony Brook
NY Jarell Davis Bronx State Virtual
University of Enterprises,
New York at International
Binghamton
NY Dilys Dong New York Bentley College Virtual
Enterprises,
International
NY Terry Ann McIntosh Bronx City University Virtual
of New York: Enterprises,
Borough of International
Manhattan
Community
NY Mei Rong Ouyang Brooklyn Syracuse Virtual
University Enterprises,
International
NY Melissa Palacios Bronx Long Island Virtual
University: Enterprises,
C. W. Post International
Campus
NY Sorangel Paulino Bronx Syracuse Virtual
University Enterprises,
International
NY Guo Jing Wu New York Colgate Virtual
University Enterprises,
International
NY LaVawn Anderson New York City University Young Women's
of New York Leadership School
NY Edie De Los New York State Young Women's
Santos University of Leadership School
New York College
at Buffalo
NY Jessica Erazo New York State Young Women's
University of Leadership School
New York at
New Paltz
NY Ileana Garcia New York Haverford Young Women's
College Leadership School
NY Amanda Hernandez New York Iona College Young Women's
Leadership School
NY Starsha Jordan New York Gettysburg Young Women's
College Leadership School
NY Nicole Turner New York Lincoln Young Women's
University Leadership School
OH Brittany Moore Columbus Ohio State Big Brothers
University: Big Sisters
Columbus Campus
OH Krystle O'Brien Girard Bethany College FIRST
OH Annamica Ramdeen Cleveland Oberlin College FIRST
OK Alisha LeFlore Nowata University Boys & Girls Clubs
of Oklahoma
OK Katie Peper Chelsea University Boys & Girls Clubs
of Tulsa
OR Jacinda Mitchell Enter- University FIRST
prise of Oregon
PA Agatha Lauder Woodland Penn State Big Brothers
Dubois Big Sisters
PA Jean Muth Du Bois DuBois College Big Brothers
Business Big Sisters
PA Debra Wolfe Cherry Keystone Big Brothers
Tree College Big Sisters
PA Heather Shober Ephrata Reading FIRST
Hospital
Medical Center
PA Brian Woodworth Corry Penn State FIRST
Erie, The
Behrend College
TN Jessica Stevens Memphis Tennessee State Big Brothers
University Big Sisters
TN Jessica Brooks Chatta- Agnes Scott Boys & Girls Clubs
nooga College
TN William Harris, Memphis Lambuth Boys & Girls Clubs
University
Jr.
TN Ladarius Hollings- Chatta- Tennessee State Boys & Girls Clubs
worth nooga University
TX Marisol De Leon Lake University Boys & Girls Clubs
Jackson of Dallas
TX Erika Martinez Fort University of Boys & Girls Clubs
Worth Texas at Austin
VA Erika Culley Danville Marymount Big Brothers
University Big Sisters
VA Travis Fisher Pembroke Virginia FIRST
Polytechnic
Institute and
State University
VT Jennifer Cushing Williams- Rivier College Boys & Girls Clubs
town
WI Luis Quinones Oconom- University of FIRST
owoc Wisconsin-
Madison