One of the best parts about building long-term relationships with our customers and community is that we get to share in so many milestones. Among them: GRADUATION! We have known many local students since they were babies. We’ve seen them shine in school classrooms, sports, musicals, community service opportunities, and all kinds of other activities along the way. And we’ve watched many of them learn to drive and get their own first set of keys - an exciting moment that leaves all of us smiling ear to ear! At Ruge’s, we are so very grateful to be part of the various miles and milestones as local young people journey through life. And that is one of the many reasons why we are so proud to continue our tradition of recognition through the Ruge Family Scholarship Fund. Each year, the Ruge Family Scholarship Fund makes awards to graduating high school students from Rhinebeck, NY, Red Hook, NY and Millbrook, NY Schools who have demonstrated success both in and out the classroom. Selected recipients have maintained a high GPA, have volunteered extensively for the good of their communities, and have participated in extracurricular activities. In addition to meeting those criteria, scholarship winners must also have plans in place to pursue automotive studies or engineering programs after high school.

In 2023, we once again received applications from several deserving students in our area. We are proud to announce those who were selected: Alexis Kalafala, Rhinebeck High School, who plans to pursue automotive technology at Columbia Greene Community College. Blake Bulson, Red Hook High School, who plans to attend the Nascar Technical Institute Automotive Technical program in North Carolina Kyran McCrudden, Red Hook High School, who intends to study mechanical engineering at University of Vermont. Local scholarships are a meaningful way for us to give back, and we encourage local families from Millbrook, Red Hook, and Rhinebeck to consider applying in the future if the Ruge Scholarship looks like a fit. As part of our set of guiding principles, we believe that we have a responsibility to pay it forward and enhance life for Hudson Valley residents. By helping to offset college expenses, we hope to bring that vision to life. We also want to simply acknowledge students who have worked hard, served their communities, and developed clear goals for their future. By doing so, we hope to inspire younger students to follow suit! Our warmest congratulations to the 2023 Ruge Family Scholarship Fund winners, and to all who are getting ready to embark on the next adventure in your ‘road of life’! All of us at Ruge’s are here rooting for you…. mile after mile - and milestone after milestone!