The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ) Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of their 2025 Education Scholarships. Since 2006, the MTA/NJ Education Foundation has awarded over $35,000 to deserving students and has provided over $10,000 towards marine education and training for members. This year, three exceptional students have been selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants.
Facilitated through the MTA/NJ, the Automotive Training Center (ATC) in Warminster, PA sponsored a half scholarship to their Marine Technician Program. The recipient of the Automotive Training Center scholarship was Nicholas Quinn of Hopatcong, NJ. Quinn is graduating from Lenape Valley High School and after his schooling at ATC, he hopes to own and operate his own marine repair business in New Jersey.
There were two recipients selected to receive the MTA/NJ Boating Industry Scholarship, valued at $1,500. The MTA/NJ Boating Industry Scholarship is offered to a student pursuing a career in the recreational boating industry, as one of the goals of the MTA/NJ Foundation is to provide financial support dedicated to growing the recreational marine trades’ workforce in New Jersey. The winners were Leo McConnell of Brick and Luke Holmes of Corbin City.
McConnell will graduate from Brick Township High School and will continue his education at Ocean County Vocational Technical School as a post-secondary student. His goal is to become a certified outboard technician and begin working at a marina, with a long-term goal of starting his own business.
Holmes will graduate from Ocean City High School and is enrolled at The College of New Jersey where he will study business. He aspires to obtain his Captains License and someday start his own watersports business in New Jersey.
“We are thrilled to support these promising students as they take the next steps in their boating careers,” stated Melissa Danko, Executive Director of the MTA/NJ. “Their dedication to education and training and aspirations for the future embody everything that the MTA/NJ Foundation was designed to support.”
For more information about the MTA/NJ Foundation or to make a donation, please contact the MTA/NJ office at 732-292-1051 or via email at info@mtanj.org.
