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Chevy Announces Diversity Scholarship Contest with NASCAR

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Education is important to the future of motorsports, especially in the key STEM areas that require so much devotion and study. Without STEM graduates, we won’t have the next generation of race cars to take to the track and thrill the screaming crowds. Beyond the track, STEM professionals are needed to continue making our world a safer and healthier place. That’s why NASCAR and Chevrolet have partnered together for their second annual Diversity Scholarship Contest.

The NASCAR Chevrolet Diversity Scholarship Contest opened for entries on July 23rd, and the deadline to enter is October 15th. Four winners will be announced and will share $20,000 in scholarship money and a VIP experience at the November 6th Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway.

To enter, students must create a YouTube video that identifies a piece of innovation or technology in NASCAR and explain how STEM helped it come into being. Videos are being restricted to 90 seconds, and will be evaluated based on creativity, technical accuracy, and production quality. In other words, students should make a video that would compete with Elle Woods’ application to Harvard Law School.

“At General Motors, diversity is our strength and we seek unique perspectives to infuse new ideas into all we do – keeping us on the cutting edge of technological innovation,” said Ken Barrett, GM’s Chief Diversity Officer. “Attracting and employing the best and brightest STEM talent from around the world places GM and Chevy in the position to win in the marketplace and the race track.”

Applicants must be between the ages of 18-25 at the time of entry and be enrolled at least part-time at an accredited college or university.

While we’re not surprised that Chevrolet is offering a scholarship focused on diversity, it is a bit odd to see it with NASCAR as a partner. Someone must not have told NASCAR CEO and Donald Trump fanboy Brian France.