NEWS & EVENTS

LIFT Education Foundation Announces 2026 Scholarship Award Recipients

July 22, 2026

Twenty-five students pursuing advanced manufacturing careers awarded $1,000 scholarships.

DETROIT – The LIFT Education Foundation, operated by the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute (ALMMII), today announced the recipients of the inaugural “J. Michael Bernard Memorial Scholarship for Advanced Manufacturing Careers”, awarded to outstanding high school students preparing for careers that will strengthen America’s advanced manufacturing workforce. The students gathered for an award ceremony and lunch at LIFT’s Corktown Detroit headquarters.

Selected through a competitive application process, this year’s award recipients have demonstrated academic excellence and a passion for innovation, problem-solving, and technology. With their dedication to hands-on experience and desire to continue their advanced manufacturing education, they are preparing to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the nation’s manufacturing base through advanced manufacturing careers.

This year’s scholarship recipients are:

  • Abdullah Al-Battawi, Melvindale High School, pursuing Computer Science
  • Ayah Haidarah, Melvindale High School, pursuing Computer Science
  • Corin Darbyshire, Lake Orion High School, pursuing Bio-Medical Engineering
  • Damian Saldana, Lake Orion High School, pursuing Bio-Medical Engineering
  • Dominika Romanik, Lake Orion High School, pursuing Chemical Engineering
  • Elinor Ruiz, Seaholm High School, pursuing Electrical Engineering
  • Giuseppe Crapanzano, Woodhaven High School, pursuing IBEW Apprenticeship
  • Hassan Alkhodair, Romulus High School, pursuing Aerospace Engineering
  • Jaiden Whaley, Woodhaven High School, pursuing Welding Technology
  • Jayce Goroni, Woodhaven High School, pursuing Welding Technology
  • Joseph Barry, Woodhaven High School, pursuing Industrial Maintenance
  • Joshua Galloway, Woodhaven High School, pursuing Pipefitter Apprenticeship
  • Kyle Ross-McCullum, Detroit Public Safety Academy, pursuing Engineering General
  • Landon Johnson, Almont High School, pursuing Chemical Engineering
  • Lucas Armstrong, Woodhaven High School, pursuing Elevator Apprenticeship
  • Luciano Salisbury, Woodhaven High School, pursuing Air Force Electronics
  • Maksym Synytsia, A.G.B.U. Alex & Marie Manoogian School, pursuing Engineering Technician
  • Mason Andrews, Woodhaven High School, pursuing IBEW Apprenticeship
  • Nathan Lins, Woodhaven High School, pursuing Boilermaker Apprenticeship
  • Nathaniel Loving-Rivera, Western International High School, pursuing Electronic and Automation Engineering Technology
  • Neil Haselton, Oxford High School, Mechanical Engineering
  • Noah Bacheller, Seaholm High School, pursuing Electrical Engineering
  • Philip Walker, Melvindale High School, pursuing Computer Science
  • Saydimar Colon, Elvira M. Colon Negron, pursuing Mechanical Engineering
  • Yahya Al Salahi, Melvindale High School, pursuing Aeronautical Studies

Established to honor the life and legacy of J. Michael “Mike” Bernard, a dedicated LIFT Board Member and leader across the manufacturing community, this scholarship supports students pursuing careers in advanced manufacturing, engineering, and skilled trades while helping remove financial barriers to education and training. The program reflects the LIFT Education Foundation’s commitment to development the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and manufacturing leaders.

“These students represent the future of American manufacturing,” said Dr. Robert Shaner, Chief Workforce Development officer at LIFT. “The J. Michael Bernard Memorial Scholarship honors Mike’s unwavering commitment to innovation, education, and workforce development while investing in students who help shape the future of our nation’s industrial base. We are proud to support these outstanding individuals as they pursue careers that will strengthen American manufacturing for generations to come.”

Applications for the 2027 “J. Michael Bernard Memorial Scholarship for Advanced Manufacturing Careers” will open in the spring.

For more information, visit https://www.lifteducationfoundation.org/

About LIFT
LIFT, operated by the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute, is the Detroit-based, public-private partnership with the Department of War, industry, and academia, committed to the development and deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies, and implementing talent development initiatives to better prepare the workforce today and in the future. LIFT funded in part by the Department of War with management through the Office of Naval Research. Visit https://lift.technology/ or follow on LinkedIn at LIFT or on Twitter @NewsFromLIFT to learn more.