New York, NY –Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, has announced the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship. The scholarship is aimed at bringing new talent into the bench jeweler profession.
The three recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship are Amy Conder, Leah Walshak and Teresa Wergedal. Their scholarships will go towards their educational courses at Gemological Institute of America, New Approach School for Jewelers, and Stuller, respectively.
The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is a partnership started this past year with Jewelers of America and Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman that provides tuition help to students enrolled in an accredited bench jeweler or metalsmith education program.
"My parents, Seymour and Evelyn Holtzman, have always believed that service and bench jewelers are the foundation of the jewelry industry,” says Steven Holtzman, Vice Chairman, CD Peacock. “By providing this scholarship, we honor my late father's legacy and hope to help launch many brilliant careers."
The scholarships were awarded to students currently enrolled in jewelry or metalsmithing programs at an accredited college, university, or training school, and the recipients were selected by a committee.
“Bench jewelers are a critical part of our jewelry community, and we are passionate about finding ways to encourage talented individuals to enter and positively impact the field. We know the three recipients will continue to flourish,” says JA President & CEO David Bonaparte.
All recipients are employees at a JA Member store and at least 18 years of age. They have at least one year’s experience working in a JA Member store and are not already enrolled in another home study course from any of the educational providers.
For more information, visit https://www.jewelers.org/member-center/resources/scholarships or contact JA’s Member Services at (800) 223-0673.
