(Mar. 6, 2024) – Hosted by the W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center & the Ramageddon Robotics Team, the scholarships are for postsecondary manufacturing and engineering students. Interested students may apply here by Thursday, March 21, 2024. Scholarships may be used for tuition, fees, books, and supplies and will be made payable to the postsecondary institution in the recipient’s name and mailed directly to the institution.
Ramageddon Robotics is FIRST Robotics Competition Team #4336. The team meets evenings and weekends at the W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center to prepare for competitions and community engagements. This past spring, Ramageddon earned the opportunity to compete at the 2023 FIRST World Championship. High school students interested in joining the Ramageddon Robotics Team may contact Mr. Ryland at pryland@lpssonline.com or (337) 521-7570.
Students in the Computer Integrated Manufacturing class at the Career Center gain knowledge and skills in manufacturing technology while working to earn NIMS Machining Certifications.
The W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center is an extension of the high schools in the Lafayette Parish School System. Students attend the Career Center for a three-period block of the school day to gain knowledge and skills to earn industry credentials for a good first job.
In addition to Computer Integrated Manufacturing, the Career Center also offers automotive paint and body, automotive technology, carpentry, cosmetology, culinary, electrical, HVAC, certified nursing assistant, medical assistant, emergency medical technician, and welding courses. The Career Center plans to add pre-educator classes next year. Applications for the Career Center can be found at lpssonline.com/careercenter and are due by April 1st.
About the Gene Haas Foundation
The Gene Haas Foundation funds scholarships. Established in 1999, the foundation was founded by Gene Haas, founder and owner of Haas Automation, Inc. By providing scholarship grants, sponsoring individual and team CNC competitions, and partnering with the world’s best CNC training programs, the Foundation helps expand the availability of high-quality manufacturing technology training worldwide.

