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IC Bus Awards 2025-2026 Scholarships

The school bus manufacturer’s annual scholarships go to family members of dealer employees. This year, 14 students will each receive $5,000 to support their education expenses.

IC Bus Awards 2025-2026 Scholarships

One of the program's general scholarship recipients is Max Clara. Pictured (L to R): Max's sister, brother, mother Guadalupe Clara, Max Clara, father Jorge Clara who serves as lead journeyman technician, and longtime family friend Alvaro Soltero, journeyman technician.

Photo: IC Bus

2 min to read


Today, IC Bus revealed the recipients of its 2025-2026 IC Bus Scholarship Program

Each recipient will receive a $5,000 scholarship to support their education expenses for the 2025-2026 school year.

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This year, 14 students were selected to receive scholarships after a competitive application process. Among them, four were recognized with special honors, exemplifying the values and legacy of the scholarship’s namesakes.

2025-2026 IC Bus Scholarship Recipients

Harlow Hageness Scholarship

  • Isabelle Forde – Harlow’s Truck and Bus Sales, Bismarck, N.D.

Holly Hoglund Klein Scholarship

  • Livia Takanen – Ascendance Truck Center, Marshfield, Wis.

Richard Wolfington Sr. Scholarship

  • Damon Wright – Wolfington Body Co., Chester Springs, Pa.

Floyd Morris Scholarship

  • Christopher Shoemaker – White’s IC Bus, Greensboro, N.C.

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General Scholarship Recipients

  • Ainsley Boyd – Southland Transportation Group, Birmingham, Ala.

  • Aiden Herley – Midwest Transit Equipment, Whitestown, Ind.

  • Loran Thieneman – Midwest Transit Equipment, Whitestown, Ind.

  • Madison Ballard – Waters International Trucks, Columbus, Miss.

  • Ava Lazzara – Leonard Bus Sales, Deposit, N.Y.

  • Erica Wilson – Leonard Bus Sales, Deposit, N.Y.

  • Max Clara – RWC Group, Huntington Park, Calif.

  • Alex Rodriguez – Longhorn Bus Sales, Houston, Texas

  • Sari Johnson – Rush Truck Centers, Salt Lake City, Utah

  • Carter Reineke – Cornhusker International, Lincoln, Neb.

“We are incredibly proud to support these talented students through the IC Bus Scholarship Program,” said Charles Chilton, vice president and general manager of IC Bus. “Education is a powerful tool for shaping the future, and we are honored to play a role in the journeys of these exceptional young individuals. Congratulations to this year’s recipients — you represent the values, ambition, and potential that make our industry and our communities thrive.”

The IC Bus Scholarship Program was created in collaboration with the IC Bus dealer network, and illustrates the company’s dedication to fostering a bright future in the communities where its employees live and work. Since its inception, it has supported hundreds of students across the nation. 

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