At the Annual Member Meeting held at Resorts Casino in Atlantic City on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, the Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association (GNEMA) announced the winners of the 7th Annual Scholarship Awards for 2025. The program was developed to promote higher education goals of our members, and their families, whether it be to pursue a college degree or a trade certification. The Scholarship Program is funded by fundraising efforts. This year, GNEMA held their Annual Golf Outing on September 23rd to benefit the program.
The winners for 2025 are Matthew Cesare, nominated by Operator Member Peter Pan Bus Lines. and Shamika Hatchett, nominated by Allied Destination Member Wind Creek Bethlehem. Each received a check in the amount of $1,500 and a plaque.
Those eligible to apply for scholarships are full-time employees or the dependent children of full-time employees of Operator Member companies. Also eligible are the employees of Allied Members companies or the dependent children of the Allied Member companies.
The eligible employee of a GNEMA member company must have been employed for at least one year by January 1 in the year in which the scholarships are awarded. Also, those eligible to apply must already be registered to a full-time college, professional school, or trade school in the previous fall or at the time of application. They must also hold a minimum GPA of 3.0 or, if a professional school, the equivalent of a B grade.
Tim Stout, president of GNEMA, congratulated the winners and thanked the Scholarship Committee members for their volunteerism. They are Brad Decker (Busie), Roy Furo (Prevost), Dennis King (King Gray Coach Lines), Meg Lewis (Resorts Casino), Jonathan Robbins (ABC Companies) and Steve Weiss (MCI/NFI).
Pictured below are Chris Crean, Peter Pan Bus Lines accepting the award on behalf of Matthew and Nick Schlegel, Wind Creek Bethlehem accepting the award on behalf of Shamika.
Read excerpts from Matthew and Shamika’s applications:
Matthew Cesare:
“My objectives in college are centered around becoming a well-rounded forensic professional who can contribute in many areas of the field. This scholarship would help support that vision and allow me to focus fully on making the most of this opportunity.”
Shamika Hatchett:
“I want to major in Psychology eventually obtaining my doctorate and studying the criminal mind. Minoring in business to coincidence with my cosmetology license which I'm currently obtaining at Lehigh Career and Technical Institute.
***The GNEMA is a group of leaders in the motorcoach, tour and travel industries that represent bus operators and owners in the northeast region. The association works in cooperation with industry associations, local, state, and federal agencies, legislators, vendors, attractions, and destinations to promote the betterment and welfare of the motorcoach industry, their members, and association objectives. The association takes initiative-taking steps in promoting safety in the motorcoach industry by sponsoring safety workshops for bus drivers, driver excellence award programs, inspection workshops, scholarship programs and industry professional awards. For more information visit gnema.org or contact Patricia Cowley, Executive Director 908-750-4538 pcowley@gnema.org***