Jewelers of America (JA) has announced the honorees of its 2026 scholarship programs, which saw more than $42,000 handed out to recipients.
The scholarships include the newly formed Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship, in partnership with Henne Jewelers, the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship, and the Jewelers of America Scholarship programs, the organization said Tuesday.
JA awarded more than $22,000 to employees at JA member stores for industry diplomas, professional development and certification programs. The stores include Afram Jewelers, Atelier Mythique, Avitabile Fine Jewelers, Ba Lan Fine Jewelry, Borsheims, David Adams Fine Jewelers, Dunbar Jewelers, Evelyn and Co., Lasker Jewelers and Diamonds, MIYAVI, New England Gold & Silver Jewelers, Noe’s Jewelry, Parkville Jewelers, The Diamond Center, and Tom LaGravinese Jewelers.
The inaugural Pugliese Scholarship, in memory of Nina Pugliese, who worked at Henne Jewelers for four decades, aims to support students and jewelry industry professionals seeking to expand their knowledge and professional skills through education and training. The award is in partnership with Henne Jewelers.
The Nina Pugliese Scholarship honorees, who received more than $10,000 among them, included:
- Tiana Camarillo, of Laredo, Texas to attend the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
- Audriana Osborne, of Montgomery, Alabama to attend GIA
- Janice Kreis, of New York, to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
A JA scholarship committee comprising the organization’s staff and members of its board of directors – as well as representatives from the Holtzman Review Committee – selected grantees for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarships.
It handed out a total of $10,000 to:
- Samuel Zampelli, of Maspeth, New York, to attend FIT
- Kylie Weinzierl, of Revere, Massachusetts, to attend North Bennet Street School
- Noa Bejar, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, to attend Savannah College of Art and Design
- Anthony Lindwedel, of St. Louis, Missouri, to attend the Stuller Bench Jeweler Workshop
“[JA] is committed to advancing the professionalism of the jewelry industry,” said CEO David Bonaparte. “We are fortunate to have great partners in both the Holtzmans and Henne, who are working with us to prepare the next generation of jewelers.”
Image: A jewelry-store display. (Shutterstock)
