#United States #Atlanta #Scholarships #Lutzie 43 Foundation #Prepared for Life

Lutzie 43 Foundation Celebrates the Next Generation of Safe Driving Leaders

The Lutzie 43 Foundation, established in memory of Auburn football player Philip Lutzenkirchen, has announced the recipients of its 2026 Prepared for Life (PFL) Scholarship program. This year, the foundation has awarded scholarships to 20 outstanding high school and college students, each recognized for their exceptional character, leadership, and commitment to promoting safe driving practices.

In total, the foundation reviewed more than 75 applications for this prestigious scholarship, and the winners were officially announced at the tenth annual Lutzie 43 Golf Invitational held in Atlanta, Georgia. This year’s PFL class joins a distinguished group of scholars, bringing the total scholarships awarded by the foundation to $662,900 for 158 students over the years.

The PFL Scholarship recognizes students who not only excel academically but also demonstrate a commitment to their communities through service and leadership roles. Recipients of the scholarship serve as ambassadors for safe driving, actively advocating for road safety and awareness among their peers and families. The Lutzie 43 Foundation aims to end distracted, impaired, and unsafe driving, a mission that resonates deeply with each of the scholarship winners.

Each student receives a scholarship of $4,300, a symbolic figure honoring Philip Lutzenkirchen, who donned the number 43 during his time at Auburn University. The selected recipients for 2026 include:

• - Dominic D'Apice – Boyd Buchanan School
• - Hannah Grace Davis – University of Georgia
• - Audrey Greene – Lowndes High School
• - Tanner Griggs – Southside High School
• - Emma Gutman – West High School
• - Grayson Haygood – Pell City High School
• - Sophie Hortman – Lassiter High School
• - Savannah Hughes – Sardis High School
• - Xzavier Jackson – Kenwood Academy
• - Daisey Johnson – Georgia Military College
• - Lydia Jordan – Lee-Scott Academy
• - Grace Kweon – Ladue Horton Watkins High School
• - Makinley Lancaster – Morgan County High School
• - Lily Platt – Fayetteville High School
• - Kyleigh Saunders – Geneva County High School
• - Antoinette Selby – Brenau University
• - Anniston Taylor – Isabella High School
• - Margie Grace Wilder – Auburn University
• - Thomas Wingate – Eufaula High School
• - Cord Zellner – Lee Scott Academy

To qualify for the PFL scholarship, students must sign the 43 Key Seconds Safe Driving Pledge, complete the Safeguarding Your Legacy Curriculum, and submit an application that includes both an essay and a video component. Through their essays and videos, each student shares their personal experiences with the Lutzie 43 Foundation and how their involvement has influenced their lives, particularly regarding safe driving habits.

Abby Forristall, Director of Events and Opportunity Management at the Lutzie 43 Foundation, expressed her admiration for the recipients: "As we announce another group of PFL Scholarship winners, I am again struck by their leadership and strength of character. These truly exceptional young leaders are saving lives with their commitment to spread the message of the 43 Key Seconds safe driving initiative to their peer groups and families. The Lutzie 43 Foundation is proud to support their educational journeys through these awards."

About the Lutzie 43 Foundation

The Lutzie 43 Foundation aims to empower individuals to become positive ambassadors for safe driving through character development, mentoring, and practical application of safe driving principles. The foundation was established in honor of Philip Lutzenkirchen, who tragically lost his life in a vehicle accident in 2014. The 43 Key Seconds initiative was created to establish awareness and prevention of distracted, impaired, and unsafe driving, aiming to be recognized nationally. With the motto "Live like Lutz, Love like Lutz, and Learn from Lutz," the foundation seeks to inspire others to embody the positive attributes that Philip exemplified in his life, while learning from the circumstances leading to his untimely passing. For more information about the foundation, please visit lutzie43.org.