IJO Awards 23 Scholarships at Chicago Conference
At the recent conference of the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) held at the Marriott Marquis and the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, 23 individual scholarships were presented to deserving applicants. This newly created program, comprised of three classifications, received an overwhelming response from the membership.
The Bill Roberts Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by Jeff Roberts and IJO, offered a total of $5,000 to be awarded for GIA study. The Richard Swetz Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by Dolores Swetz and the Swetz Family and Stephen & Rebecca Barnes, offered $3,000 to various recipients to cover any jewelry-related study, and the Banice & Beverly Bazar Memorial Pearl Scholarship, sponsored by Imperial Pearl, presented $640 for the GIA Pearls Course.
Of the 23 recipients, 8 were provided full scholarships and 15 were partial scholarships with at least half tuition covered.
Pictured with Todd & Barbara Bazar, representing Imperial Pearl, is Braeden Bond of K. Bond Jewelers in Wichita Falls, TX.
According to IJO Owner and Chairman Jeff Roberts, “The excitement over this program was truly heartwarming, and it’s the goal of IJO to provide an increased number of educational opportunities to the membership, especially for the NextGen portion of the family. The number of applicants was close to 50, and we’re proud to have been able to accommodate so many! Those who were not selected this year may apply again for 2025.”
Recipients of the Bill Roberts Memorial Scholarship were:
Rachael Theodore, Artful Eye Jewelry Design Center, Jewelry Essentials
Essiah Hudson, Bauble Patch Jewelers, Jewelry Essentials
Taylor Camillo, Cindi’s Diamond & Jewelry Gallery, Jewelry Essentials
Mandy Balkman, Dickinson Jewelers, Colored Stone Grading Lab
Heather Frye, Jerald Jewelers, Applied Jewelry Professional
Elizabeth Weber, Jim Kryshak Jewelers, Diamond Essentials
Kristen Wall, Kelly Waters, Applied Jewelry Professional
Joey Sandler, Leslie E. Sandler Fine Jewelry, Pearls
Diana Landrin, Mar-Bill Diamonds & Jewelry, Applied Jewelry Professional
Sergio Palazzo, Ocean View Jewelers, Colored Stone Essentials
Madison Webster, Peter & Company Jewelers, Pearls
Daniel Garulé, Plaza Jewelers, Pearls
Mahogany Rivera, Scott & Company Fine Jewelers, Diamond Essentials
Kamryn Thompson, Tipton’s Fine Jewelry, Diamond Essentials
Camryn Dempsey, Whalen Jewelers, Jewelry Essentials
Recipients of the Richard Swetz Memorial Scholarship were:
Matthew Bryce Maynor, Barnett Jewelers, Stuart’s International
Beth Greene, Conti Jewelers, Colored Stone Grading Lab
Tim Bartels, Don’s Jewelry, Laser Welding-Midwest Jewelry Academy
Taylor Benton, Fort Thomas Jewelers, Stone Setting-New Approach School
Andrea Venn, Kirk & Company Jewelers, Digital Jewelry Sketching
Stephen Chapman, Main Street Jewelers, AWCI Watch Certification Courses
Elena Davis, Towne Square Jewelers, Colored Stone Grading Lab
The Banice & Beverly Bazar Memorial Pearl Scholarship was presented to:
Braeden Bond, K. Bond Jewelers, Pearls
“The talent exhibited by these applicants was so impressive, and we are encouraged by the potential we see for the future of this industry,” stated IJO President Stephen Barnes. “IJO has always been a leader in the jewelry industry, providing an array of programs to help members work smarter to increase sales and profits, as well as a network of non-competing retailers who offer support, ideas and solutions. I’m excited for all these recipients and have high expectations for what’s in store in the forthcoming years.”
Following an impromptu auction during the conference’s General Session on July 14th, IJO member Travis Piper of Piper Diamond Company in Vincennes, IN – a retail jeweler and auctioneer extraordinaire – raised an additional $5,500 to add to the 2025 scholarship program, with two members bidding on room upgrades at the next IJO conference! For information on IJO membership, contact Penny Palmer, IJO’s Director of Member Services. penny@ijo.com
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