Boom & Bucket's 2026 Student Scholarship Program Winner

We are excited to announce the winner of the 2026 Boom & Bucket Student Scholarship Program. After carefully reviewing numerous outstanding submissions, we selected a student whose dedication, work ethic, and passion for the heavy machinery and diesel technology industry truly stood out.

Winner:

We are proud to announce Bryan Hilbig, incoming student of Montana State University–Northern in Havre as the winner of the 2026 Boom & Bucket Student Scholarship Program.

Bryan’s application impressed us with his incredible hands-on experience, entrepreneurial mindset, and commitment to the diesel technology industry. From rebuilding small engines at a young age to maintaining heavy equipment for construction companies while balancing school, work, and athletics, Bryan demonstrated exceptional determination and passion for the trade. His long-term goal of earning a Diesel Technology degree while eventually giving back to his community through teaching made his submission especially impactful.

Congratulations, Bryan! We are excited to support you as you continue building your future in the heavy equipment industry.

Runner-ups:

1. Brady Eschen

2. Ainsley Conner

3. Liliauna Schroeder

4. Hayden Talon Handsor

5. Brody Galle

6. Tanner Drum

7. Harley Narveson

8. Connor Gillis

9. Davone Mccord

10. Sean Healy

We also want to recognize our talented runner-up applicants for their impressive submissions and passion for the industry. Thank you to every student who took the time to apply and share your story with us.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all participants for their hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm. Choosing a winner was incredibly difficult due to the high quality of applications we received this year.

Feedback for Future Applicants:

We received many strong submissions this year. To improve your application for future scholarship opportunities, please consider the following tips:

1. Identify Your Study Area: Include your name, the title of your submission, and the specific program or field you are currently studying at the beginning of your application.

2. Tailor Your Essay to the Scholarship: It's crucial to express your passion for the heavy equipment industry. Tell us what excites you about this field; passion is essential!

3. Proper Formatting is Key: Make sure your essay is well-organized with clear titles and appropriate paragraphs. Use a word processor to type your essay and avoid submitting screenshots from note-taking apps or images of handwritten notes.

4. Consider Video Submissions: If you're more comfortable expressing your ideas verbally, think about submitting a YouTube video. We noticed a low number of video submissions this year and encourage more multimedia presentations.

5. Submission Format: Submit your application in PDF format to ensure that it is easily accessible and readable by the selection committee.

6. Relevance to the Program: Ensure that the educational program you are attending is relevant to the heavy equipment industry. This alignment significantly strengthens your application.

These improvements will significantly enhance the clarity and impact of your application, increasing your chances of success in next year's scholarship program.