The American Bus Association Foundation Announces 2024 Scholarship Winners

The American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF), the largest non-profit organization in the group travel industry dedicated to research and scholarships, is thrilled to announce the 2024 ABAF Scholarship Program recipients.

Each year, the ABA Foundation awards more than $100,000 in scholarships to over 20 exceptional college students who are either employees or dependents of employees at ABA member companies or are pursuing studies in the travel and tourism field.

“We are incredibly proud to support the future leaders of the travel and tourism industry through our scholarship program,” said ABA Foundation President Fred Ferguson. “These talented students represent the next generation of innovators and professionals who will drive our industry forward. By investing in their education, the American Bus Association Foundation is investing in the future of group travel and tourism.”

The ABA Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in financial support to more than 300 scholars since the program began in 1995. The ABA Foundation Scholarship Program is generously funded by contributions from ABA members throughout the year, especially during ABA’s Marketplace through events such as the Foundation’s Silent Auction, Purse & Accessories Raffle, and the Afterglow party, sponsored by Hard Rock Cafe International and Prevost.

Congratulations to the 2024 scholarship winners and thank you to all our supporters and donors who make this program possible.

ABA Member Scholarship

Sylvain Yang

ABA Member Org: Travel Oklahoma

School: University of the Incarnate Word

Major of study: Business

Lilly Coate

ABA Member Org: Travel Oklahoma

School: New York University

Major of study: Media and Communications

Mason McMullen

ABA Member Org: Avid Hotels

School: University of Tennessee

Major of study: Architecture

Savannah Ichikawa

ABA Member Org: Gaylord Opryland

School: University of Alabama

Major of study: Hospitality Management

Delphine Demaisy

ABA Member Org: Prevost

School: College of the Atlantic

Major of study: Human Ecology- Focus in Marine Science

Jessica Valatka

ABA Member Org: House of Seven Gables

School: University of Massachusetts- Amherst

Major of study: Substantiality and Urban Design

Emily Young

ABA Member Org: Smithsonian Institution National Air & Space Museum

School: Wilson College

Major of study: Animal Studies

ABA Bus & Tour Operator Scholarship

Jacob Julian

ABA Member Org: Jane’s Journeys LLP

School: University of Kentucky

Major of study: Mechanical Engineering

Sophia Grueninger

ABA Member Org: Grueninger Cruises & Tours

School: DePauw University

Major of study: Global Health

Anessa Saucedo

ABA Member Org: Carreras Tours LLC

School: California State University- Fullerton

Major of study: Mechanical Engineering

Erica Jewell

ABA Member Org: Miller Transportation

School: Spalding University

Major of study: Nursing

Alena Strassburg

ABA Member Org: Lamers Bus Lines

School: Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Major of study: Physical Therapy Assistant/Aide

Kaitlyn Henry

ABA Member Org: Concord Coachlines

School: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Major of study: Computer Science

Raymond Geissler

ABA Member Org: Kaleidoscope Adventures

School: University of Akron

Major of study: Mechanical Engineering

Academic Merit Scholarships

Emily Zirbes

School: Iowa State University

Major of study: Hospitality Management

Tyler Kleinsasser

School: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Major of study: Business Management

Diversity Scholarship

Lavender Yang

ABA Member Org: Travel Oklahoma

School: Kansas City Art Institute

Major of study: Graphic Design and Animation

Driving the Future Scholarship

Heather Li

ABA Member Org: TEMSA North America

School: University of Florida

Major of study: Marketing

Ron Cornell Memorial Scholarship

Denise Loke

ABA Member Org: Corinthian Transportation

School: California State University- East Bay

Major of study: Nursing

Tony Orlando Yellow Ribbon Scholarship

Olivia McMahon

School: Trintiy College- Dublin

Major of study: Biological and Biomedical Sciences

About the American Bus Association

The American Bus Association is the oldest, largest, and most respected voice of North America’s motorcoach, tour, and travel industry. The ABA represents thousands of motorcoach and tour companies and is dedicated to advancing the industry through advocacy, education, and innovation.

About the American Bus Association Foundation

The American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF), the philanthropic arm of the American Bus Association, is dedicated to advancing the motorcoach, travel, and tourism industry through research and education. The Foundation’s mission is to support the motorcoach travel and tour industry with research and scholarships that benefit the ABA, policymakers, and the public. The ABA Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in financial support to more than 300 scholars since the program began after the passing of then ABA President and CEO George T. Snyder Jr. in 1995. Our scholarship programs help ABA members and the public earn degrees that support the motorcoach travel and tour industry, as well as promote academic excellence and diversity.

For more information about the ABA Foundation and its scholarship program, please visit www.buses.org/aba-foundation.