McKenna Stark is among 200 Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship recipients nationwide — and the first from Vermont in the program's seven-year history.
Amazon has named McKenna Stark, a recent graduate of Montpelier High School, as an Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship recipient for 2026 — making her the first from Vermont ever selected in the program's seven-year history. Stark will receive up to $40,000 over four years to pursue a degree in electrical engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, N.Y., along with an opportunity to pursue a paid internship at Amazon after the first year of college to gain hands-on, practical work experience with mentorship from Amazon leaders.
Since 2019, Amazon has awarded over $70 million in scholarships to over 1,700 students from underserved communities across the U.S. — and Stark is the first Vermonter to join that community.
Recipients were selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, participation in school and community activities, work experience, future goals and financial need. Amazon partnered with Scholarship America to review applications and select this year's scholars.
"This scholarship means I can continue to pursue the things I am interested in and passionate about without having to stress about the weight of college expenses throughout my time at RIT. I am excited to guide more of my focus and attention to my education in the near future while continuing to branch out in my community in pursuit of field experience and hobbies!" — McKenna Stark, AFE 2026 Scholarship Recipient.
Voices of Support
"It's exciting to see Vermont's first-ever Amazon Future Engineer Scholar join this incredible community. This scholarship reflects Amazon's belief that talent exists in every corner of the country — and every student deserves the chance to pursue a career in technology. We're proud to support this milestone moment for Vermont." — Jerome Smith, Senior Manager for Community Engagement in New England
"McKenna's character is a core reason why she is deserving of this generous scholarship. She consistently welcomed new members to our robotics team - investing her time and energy in developing their interests. McKenna's dedication to her community shines through, whether it's leading outreach events through our robotics team or supporting robotics teammates with whatever challenges they encounter. McKenna is synonymous with enthusiasm - she infuses all around her with a contagious energy for building community and exploring engineering. All of these qualities make me excited for McKenna's future college career and the opportunities of this generous scholarship!" — Seamus Lombardo, Robotics Team Advisor, Montpelier High School
"We are thrilled to see McKenna Stark recognized on the national stage for her commitment to STEM education and engineering. Strengthening Vermont's STEM talent pipeline is essential to advancing our economy, supporting innovation, and helping the next generation build meaningful careers here. Investments like this reinforce what we know to be true: Vermont students have the talent, drive, and potential to help shape the workforce of tomorrow." — Amy Spear, President, Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
Why It Matters
Engineering is among the fastest-growing professions within the STEM fields. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the market for engineering occupations will grow up to 11% between 2024 and 2034, yet only 24.3% of STEM graduates earn an engineering degree, and only a small percentage of those come from underserved communities.
Amazon Future Engineer aims to increase student access to computer science and engineering education by funding high-quality curriculum and educator professional development, in turn helping school districts build sustainable K–12 initiatives. In addition to its scholarship program, Amazon Future Engineer offers virtual class chats, Career Tours, and project-based learning modules that bring role models into classrooms.
Amazon launched the scholarship program in 2019, awarding more than $70 million to over 1,700 students from historically underserved communities across the U.S. This year, Amazon committed up to $8 million in college tuition.
Fast Facts
1: Vermont's first-ever Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship recipient
200: Total AFE Scholarship recipients nationwide in 2026
$8 million: Amazon's commitment to paid college tuition through AFE this year
$70 million+: Total AFE scholarship investment since 2019
Up to 11%: Projected growth rate for engineering occupations through 2034
About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth's Best Employer, and Earth's Safest Place to Work. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.