A major New Tracks Modeling Mentoring Scholarship Announcement for 2024

Bob Davidson, the New Tracks Modeling Mentoring Scholarship Chairman, is pleased to make the following announcement:

The Pacific Coast Region of the NMRA Joins with New Tracks Mentoring Inc. to provide a $2,000 scholarship for the 2024/25 Academic Year.

The Pacific Coast Region of the NMRA is joining with New Tracks Mentoring Inc. (NTMI) to sponsor a $2,000 scholarship for the 2024/25 academic year for a model railroader pursuing a STEAM degree. The New Tracks Modeling Mentoring Scholarship sponsored by the Pacific Coast Region, NMRA will be one of three $2,000 scholarships awarded this year by New Tracks Mentoring Inc., a registered 501c3 charity organization. Each of the three scholarships will be awarded to a deserving young model railroader to assist in their pursuit of a higher education degree. All three scholarships can be applied for in a single application. (Links are below to the scholarship page and the applications.)

The goal of the New Track Modeling Mentoring Scholarships (NTMMS) is to help model railroaders pursue higher education in the STEAM disciplines. For calendar year 2023/24, NTMI awarded a single $1,000 scholarship to Ethan Bernstein, a junior this year at Johns Hopkins University. Ethan is an NMRA member and works on N scale issues on the Conformance Committee of the NMRA.

Frank Markovich, MMR and President of the Pacific Coast Region said about the scholarship, “The PCR, being the first NMRA region, is excited to take a leadership role in offering scholarships to young modelers to help them pursue a higher education degree. Young modelers are the future of the model railroad hobby and the NMRA. The skills and knowledge young modelers gain while participating in model railroading are all STEAM based and lead to great educational opportunities. We hope the scholarship will help a young modeler not only get a degree, but also continue to participate in the model railroading hobby.”

Jim Kellow, MMR and President of New Tracks Mentoring Inc. thanked Frank and the Pacific Coast Region of the NMRA for their forethought and leadership in helping to educate our young model railroaders saying, “We are looking forward to working with the PCR to promote this special Scholarship and hope other Regions and Divisions of the NMRA also choose to participate in our Scholarship program”.

More details about the scholarship can be found Here.
Apply for the scholarship using an on-line form Here.
Apply for the scholarship using a pdf form Here.
New Tracks Mentoring Inc. is a registered 501c3 charitable organization focused on promoting the model railroading hobby to young people by sponsoring scholarships for model railroaders pursuing higher education. Donations to the New Tracks Mentoring scholarships can be made Here.

Bob emphasized that we are still accepting donations for 2024 so we can expand the scholarship program further in 2025 and beyond. Your contributions will help young model railroaders as they work toward achieving a college degree or technical school certificate. Remember, as a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, your donation to the New Tracks Modeling Mentoring Scholarship is tax deductible as allowed by law. To use the Zeffy platform, please click here.

In 2023 New Tracks Mentoring, Inc. was formed as a Florida 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation to provide financial assistance in the form of scholarships to model railroaders and other modelers pursuing a STEAM related college degree or technical school credential.

MISSION STATEMENT
To encourage young modelers to develop their skills and maintain their connection to model railroading through mentoring and educational opportunities.

VISION STATEMENT
To provide financial assistance, through educational scholarships and grant programs, to inspire continued interest and expertise in railroad modeling.

Our first scholarship, in the amount of $1,000.00 will be awarded summer of 2023. Our goal is to offer at least $4,000.00 in scholarships next year.