2023 Saia Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to this year's winners!
Mason Baugh
Kansas City, Missouri
KCY City Driver Dustin Baugh
Mason Baugh graduated earlier this year with a 4.1 GPA from Staley High School. He is currently enrolled at the University of Missouri where he plans on studying film production. According to his broadcast journalism advisor, he is “dependable, hard-working, kind, and has a way of commanding respect and attention in a soft-spoken and gentle way. He works hard to constantly improve his skills and help others do the same. He is an amazing young man that will accomplish amazing things.”
Ryker Berry
Bridge City, Texas
BMT Terminal Manager Troy Berry
In May, Ryker Berry graduated from Bridge City High School with a 4.5 GPA. He is studying music education at Lamar University. His band director stated that Ryker “pushed himself to achieve high academic marks while being involved in several other programs, in and out of school, that contribute to his well-roundedness. He is driven to be an actively involved member of the band. As a strong leader of a state ranked high school band program, he has been a perfect example for other students to emulate.”
Taylor Brockman
West Palm Beach, Florida
WPB Dock Supervisor Corey Brockman
Currently studying biology at the University of Florida, Taylor Brockman graduated from Forest Hill High School in May with a 4.0 GPA. According to her teacher, “Taylor is, quite simply, one of the hardest working, most thoughtful students I have ever taught. Ms. Brockman is the definition of a driven and dedicated young scholar who will no doubt leave a lasting impact on the world around her.”
Mary Carter
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
BRG City Dispatcher Christopher Taylor
Mary Carter graduated from Episcopal High School this spring with a 4.0 GPA. She is a biology/pre-med student at Xavier University of Louisiana. Her Advanced Placement (AP) biology teacher said that Mary is the “definition of a good-natured ‘people-person.’ Besides being very goal-oriented and willing to seek assistance for challenging and unfamiliar assignments, she will easily put herself aside to be the biggest motivator, cheerleader, and advocate for her family, friends, and anyone who simply needs a friend.”
Ray Choi
Flowery Branch, Georgia
ACO Purchased Transportation Supervisor Jong Soo Choi
This past May, Ray Choi graduated from Buford High School with a 4.0 GPA. He is now studying biomedical engineering at the University of Georgia. His AP physics teacher said that “academically, Ray is a very strong student. In AP physics, he was able to grasp difficult quantitative and qualitative concepts and apply them correctly quicker than most students in the course...He will be a deserving recipient and will ensure that the scholarship will have maximum impact for himself and his community.”
Kenechukwu Egbuonu
Grand Prairie, Texas
DLS Dockworker Ilochukwu Egbuonu
Most recently, Kenechukwu Egbuonu finished his second year of medical school at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. His preceptor and coach said Kenny’s “enthusiasm and eagerness to learn are contagious as he is the kind of student that educators appreciate and are delighted to have in their class. And, will make him the kind of conscientious and empathic physician that you would want to treat your family members.”
Chimdimma Egbuonu
Grand Prairie, Texas
DLS Dockworker Ilochukwu Egbuonu
Chimdimma Egbuonu graduated this spring with a 4.2 GPA from South Grand Prairie High School. She plans on studying global affairs at the University of Notre Dame. Her AP Spanish teacher said “she brought her enthusiasm for learning languages and her leadership skills to their Spanish Club,” making it an improved organization. “It has been my absolute pleasure to have had Chimdimma as a student and as Spanish Club president. I hope you know that by granting her this scholarship, you will be giving an incomparable opportunity to one of the best students I have ever had the honor of teaching,” she stated.
Laila Garba
Indianapolis, Indiana
IND Lead Dockworker Mahamadou Garba
Laila Garba is a sophomore studying health sciences at Howard University. Her academic advisor said, “In the time I have known Ms. Garba, she has proven to be a determined student with clear goals and drive, which is evident by her excellent 4.0 GPA and extra-curricular work. Outside of her academic achievements, what is most impressive is her volunteer experience. This includes volunteering with Be the Match, an organization that supports patients and families needing hematopoietic cell transplant.”
Emily George
Tucker, Georgia
ACO Real Estate Capital Project Manager Matthew Price
Emily George is pursuing her master’s degree to become an adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. She is currently a full-time student at Mercer University in the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing program. Her professor said that while she was a student at the University of Georgia, “she maintained good academic standing and participated in numerous volunteer activities. She also consistently received accolades from her clinical faculty who are most complimentary of her engagement in providing care to her patients.”
Rebecca Hawkins
Kings Mountain, North Carolina
CLT Line Driver Larry Evans
This June, Rebecca Hawkins graduated with a 4.5 GPA from Kings Mountain High School. Riley, as she is called, is studying nursing at Gardner-Webb University. In a recommendation letter, she is described as “kind-hearted” and “polite, respectful, and dependable.” The letter states, “Her amiable personality is one of her most likable traits. She has a genuinely kind heart and enjoys serving others. I have every confidence that Riley will continue striving for academic and personal success in college. Riley will be a valuable asset to any college campus.”
Lauren Jackson
Charlotte, North Carolina
FAY City Driver Bobby Jackson
Lauren Jackson is studying exercise science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she sports a 4.0 GPA. Her lecturer and advisor said “Lauren is the epitome of an engaged, connected, and high achieving student. She balances her academics, and concentration in ‘strength and conditioning,’ with participation in the biomechanics research lab, shadowing/interning in a physical therapy clinic, and her role as equipment manager for the Charlotte football team.”
Jennifer Johnston-Muse
Marrero, Louisiana
NOL City Driver Robert Muse
As a student studying counseling and psychological, Jennifer Johnston-Muse possesses a 4.0 GPA as she pursues a degree at Regent University. Her professor said, “I am happy to be able to provide this recommendation for someone who I believe is very deserving. In addition to being aware of her desire to continue her education and obtain her doctorate, I am also familiar with the challenges she faces as a working, non-traditional student who still makes time to raise her family and serve her community and how much this scholarship will benefit her.”
Norbert Krajewski
Inverness, Florida
OCA Line Driver Janusz Krajewski
Norbert Krajewski attends Florida Polytechnic University where he is studying computer science and has a 4.0 GPA. His mentor wrote to say that “Norbert is an accomplished, respected, and dedicated student who in his entire high school career has displayed dedication, and diligence. His combination of intellectual ability, personal work ethic, and dedication to family and community is uncommon and rarely seen to this level. Norbert comes with my highest recommendation as a highly deserving student for any scholarship award he may be eligible.”
Amayah Novrit
Carteret, New Jersey
NWK Operations Clerk Stephanie Novrit
This June, Amayah Novrit graduated from East Brunswick Magnet School with a 4.0 GPA. She is now a student at New England College where she is studying accounting. Her social studies teacher wrote to say that Amayah “consistently demonstrated outstanding qualities” throughout her time in her U.S. history class. She stated, “As an educator, it is an absolute pleasure to have had the opportunity to work with Amayah and it is my professional belief that she is an excellent candidate for a scholarship.”
Denisse Peterson
Buckeye, Arizona
PHX Terminal Manager Matthew Peterson
Denisse Peterson is currently enrolled at Arizona State University where she has a 3.98 GPA and is pursuing a degree in elementary education. She said her passion to teach began when she volunteered at the children’s ministry at her church. Her academic advisor said, “She has been a student of quality and has been able to keep a high GPA and was awarded Dean's List honors for the last two semesters” in a program where “earning high marks...is not easy.”
Cody Richardson
Brooklyn, Michigan
JKN Zone City Dispatcher Matthew Richardson
Cody Richardson graduated from Columbia Central Junior-Senior High School with a 4.07 GPA. He is now a student at Saginaw Valley State University where he is studying finance. His coach said that Cody was an “outstanding young leader who has made a difference here at Columbia Central. Cody has proven himself as a hard-working, trustworthy individual who strives to excel. He responds with courage when challenged to produce his best.”
Jessica Rodriguez
Chicago, Illinois
ORD City Driver Luis Rodriguez
Jessica Rodriguez graduated in May with a 5.32 GPA from DeVry University Advantage Academy High School. She currently is studying business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In her letter of recommendation, her professor said, “Jessica is simply a lovely human. She is fun, funny, authentic, hardworking, honest, warm, and considerate. She is an absolute pleasure to have in class, and she offers an amazing role model to her peers.”
Madison Segreti
Oak Forest, Illinois
ORD Terminal Manager Bob Segreti
Madison Segreti is pursuing a degree in history at Aurora University where she was named to the Dean’s List and sports a 4.0 GPA. According to her academic advisor, “Madison has consistently demonstrated exceptional academic performance, maintaining an impressive GPA throughout her undergraduate studies. Her commitment to intellectual rigor and her unyielding dedication to her academic pursuits have set her apart as an exemplary scholar.”
Luke Syverud
Gurnee, Illinois
GLK Dock Supervisor Mark Syverud
As a student with a 4.0 GPA at Marquette University, Luke Syverud is pursuing a degree in political science with the intention of adding math as a second major. His math professor said, “One of Luke’s most outstanding qualities is his insatiable thirst for knowledge. His academic dedication was evident through his exceptional performance on assignments, as well as his participation in class discussions. His creativity in problem-solving was truly remarkable, often presenting innovative and insightful solutions that surpassed my expectations.”
Shane Thoma
Wellsburg, West Virginia
PGH Line Driver Matthew Thoma
This past May, Shane Thoma graduated with a 4.523 GPA from Brooke High School. He is currently a freshman at West Virginia University where he is studying computer science. His physics teacher and National Honor Society adviser said, “I have had the privilege of working closely with Shane and have been consistently impressed with his remarkable academic achievements and his exceptional involvement in both school and community activities.”