Still time to apply for Formula E scholarship

Formula E and the NYC ePrix are reminding graduating high school seniors, who live in Red Hook and the surrounding neighborhoods, that they still have time to apply for a STEM scholarship.

Formula E and Modis have partnered to create the first-ever NYC ePrix Scholarship, engineered by Modis, in recognition that future engineers, IT directors and event professionals will help shape the future. This scholarship will provide two current high school seniors participating in STEM with $1,000 to be applied toward college education-related expenses in the 2019-2020 academic year. An internal committee comprised of representatives from Formula E, the NYC ePrix and Modis will select the two scholarship recipients.

Formula E Advisor Mike Hopper says that Councilmember Carlos Menchaca and the presidents of the Red Hook Houses’ Tenants Associations helped play a role in developing this scholarship opportunity.

“Everybody is looking to provide youth with opportunities to learn more about the world, and we want to be a part of that,” he said. “We’ve done a number of things over the last two years the race has been here, but one thing we wanted to do is really try to play a role when youth go to college. So, if they’ve got an interest in STEM and an interest in Formula E and [they] think it might be the right career path for them, we wanted to help out.”

The recipients will also be invited to attend the NYC ePrix Shakedown on Friday, July 12, prior to the big race weekend in Red Hook. During their time at Shakedown, the winners will meet with Formula E and Modis executives and receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the NYC ePrix.

Interested applicants can visit modis.com/en-us/about-modis/partnerships/formula-e to complete the form. All app components must be uploaded and submitted online by June 15.

The 2019 NYC ePrix race will return to Red Hook for the double-header grand finale on July 13 and 14.

Formula E will continue to offer complimentary tickets to Red Hook residents. On July 12, neighborhood youth can try the racecar simulators and tour the garage where they can meet some of the participating drivers, engineers and crews working on the cars.

Other community involvement

For the first time Formula E participated in PS 295’s 9^th Annual Touch-A-Truck school fundraiser on May 18. There they showcased their electric street racing series Gen2 car for kids and adults alike to admire and touch. The racecar joined a long list of other participating vehicles, including a FDNY fire truck, NYPD van, Dept. of Sanitation garbage truck and others. Hopper explained that attending this event was all about meeting and connecting with families in South Slope for a day filled with fun.

Formula E also was a part of PS 15’s Earth Day Parade and celebration in April. There they brought one of their racecars and talked to the students about electric vehicles and their role in the environment.

Top photo of families looking at the Formula E race car, taken by DeGregorio