“Our 2023 honorees are long-time Soap Box Derby competitors who are giving back to the program through their support in promoting and staging their local races and by mentoring other participants who are new to racing,” said Bret Treier, board chairman of International Soap Box Derby.
The 2023 honorees are:
John has been an active promoter of Soap Box Derby participation through science events at schools; local parades and festivals; community events; Soap Box Derby car and driver clinics, and as a mentor to younger racers. John also has been a co-pilot for SuperKids races for children with special needs. John will be a junior at Arlington High School this fall.
Connor has a keen interest in computer systems and has been instrumental in the development of a timing app used at multiple Soap Box Derby races around the country. He also helps maintain the Chicago Soap Box Derby website, set-up of the timing and communications systems for Chicago races and mentors younger racers in Chicago and during race week at the world championships in Akron. Connor will be a senior at Rockford Christian High School. He plans to study computer science in college and hopes eventually to work for SpaceX.
Laura has promoted Soap Box Derby participation at community events and has been active in school STEM (science, technology engineering and math) programs by working with students in car construction and driving skills. She also mentors and encourages fellow racers and has been a driver for the SuperKids races for special needs children.
She is a graduate of Austintown Fitch High School and is majoring in psychology at the University of Kentucky, where she is a sophomore.
Damen has been a volunteer for the Jamestown Soap Box Derby since 2018 and became a member of the race committee in 2022. He helps with track set-up and tear-down, wheel swaps and car return at local races and rallies. He mentors fellow racers in Jamestown and during race week in Akron. He is chairman of the annual bowling tournament, which is the largest fund-raiser for the Jamestown Soap Box Derby organization.
He will be a senior at Falconer Central High School in the fall.