The Valley Automobile Dealers Association (VADA) and its board members are pleased to announce they are rewarding $50,250 in total with scholarships to 32 recipients of the VADA Scholarship Fund for the 2026-2027 academic year. The recipients will be recognized on Thursday, July 9 at the VADA Annual Luncheon to be held at Embassy Suites at McAllen Convention Center, following a business meeting with keynote speaker UTRGV Athletic Director Chasse Conque. These students will receive a scholarship ranging from $750 - $5,000. Since the VADA Scholarship Fund was established in 2017, VADA has rewarded $398,250 in scholarships, all due to the support from the annual VADA Sporting Clay Shoot and the Jon Buquet Memorial Golf Tournament. The dealers and all VADA’s Associate Members remain dedicated to continued education for students in the Rio Grande Valley.

The Fund was created to support dealership employees and their children attending any college, university, or technical school of their choice.

“As dealers, we work hard to protect the future of the franchise system and the people behind it,” said Sam Tijerina of Mercedes-Benz of San Juan. “Our employees are the backbone of this industry, and as a new father, it’s especially meaningful to support scholarships that create opportunities for their children and families for years to come.”

The auto industry is resilient and continues to evolve, impacted by changes in the global economy and new regulatory issues like metal license plates. VADA Executive Director Lexi Buquet said she is grateful to the Board of Directors and their continued leadership and vision.

“The local franchise dealers are passionate business leaders and incredibly generous individually, and as a group, they are an economic and charitable force driving the Rio Grande Valley community,” Buquet said.

Updates of the VADA Scholarship Program and upcoming events can be found at www.facebook.com/valleyautodealers.