The Piston Foundation Awards 20 Scholarships for 2024 to Aspiring Auto Restoration Technicians

September 13, 2024

The Piston Foundation has now awarded 53 scholarships since the program’s inception in 2022.

Visit the Piston Foundation website

GREENWICH, Conn. (July 18, 2024) – 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.

Meet the 2024 Piston Scholars

: Blake Swingle (2 time recipient) Columbus, OH Senior McPherson College

: Carlos Leandry (2 time recipient) Bayamon, PR Junior McPherson College

: Cody Kuss (2 time recipient) Bremerton, WA Junior McPherson College

: Connor Hecei (2 time recipient) Warren, PA Sophomore Pennsylvania College of Technology

: Edwin Buiter (3 time recipient) Ireton, IA Senior McPherson College

: Elias Vasquez (2 time recipient) Irving, TX Junior McPherson College

: John Morris San Anselmo, CA Freshman McPherson College

: Lindzie Archer (2 time recipient) McPherson, KS Senior McPherson College

: Marcello Dean Placerville, CA Junior McPherson College

: Mory Hummell Franktown, CO Freshman WyoTech

: Nicholas King Lafayette, IN Freshman McPherson College

: Philip Schieffelin(2 time recipient) Limon,CO Junior McPherson College

: Riley Sojka (2 time recipient) Wichita, KS Senior McPherson College

: Samson Fisher Milford, MI Freshman Ferris State University

: Samuel Povod Palm Coast, FL Junior McPherson College

: Samuel White (2 time recipient) Topeka, KS Junior McPherson College

: Tara Feeney Fort Mcdowell, AZ Sophomore McPherson College

: Thomas Tencer Seattle, WA Junior McPherson College

: Vincent Ramirez Afton, MN Junior Worcester Polytechnical Institute

: Annika ErnstromSan Luis Obispo, CAJuniorMcPherson College

“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.

Added Mason. “The recent increase in interested applicants shows there is a much wider world of aspiring auto technicians in need of career assistance. 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.

Applications for Spring 2025 scholarships are open now at

https://pistonfoundation.org/programs/