Scholarship

For Immediate Release

OOIDA Announces 2017 Scholarship Recipients

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association announced the recipients of the 2017-2018 Mary Johnston Scholarship Fund.

Five top scholars were chosen for this honor.  To apply, the students were asked to submit a 500-word reflection essay on how a trucker has influenced their life, the way their educational goals resonate with their personalities and to make suggestions for how OOIDA can improve the public image of the professional truck driver.

Scholarship awards are available each year for children, grandchildren and legal dependents of OOIDA members.  To recognize the value of their hard work, each award is renewable for up to three years.

OOIDA sends a special thanks to Shell Rotella for their continued support. Shell Rotella donated $10,000 to the scholarship fund for the eighth straight year.

	The top winner is Kyle Klocke who was awarded $2,000. He may renew it for another three years for a total of $8,000. Kyle is the son of member Ralph Klocke from Albertville, Minn. Kyle is currently attending St. Michael-Albertville High School and has already been accepted at Alexandria Technical & Community College for the Diesel Mechanics program.
The following students will receive a $1,000 scholarship, also renewable for up to three years:
	Sean Daniels is the son of member Rick Daniels of Mt. Pleasant, Wisc. Sean is currently homeschooled by his mother and has been accepted to Maranatha Baptist University. His intended major is Nursing.
	Madelyne Louise Jacks is the daughter of senior member Jason Jacks of Mooresville, Indiana. Madelyne graduated from Center Grove High School with a 4.37 GPA and is currently enrolled in Auburn University where she is majoring in Media Communications and Creative Writing.
	Lauren Elizabeth Hardin is the daughter of senior member David S. Hardin of Clinton, N.C. Lauren is currently attending Clinton High School and has been accepted to the University of North Carolina Wilmington where she is planning to major in Physics.
	Kailee Gibbons is the daughter of member Donald J. Gibbons of Beloit, Ohio. Kailee is currently attending West Branch High School and is planning on attending Kent State University with the hopes of earning a Pre-Medicine degree in Public Health as well as a degree in Foreign Language. Kailee plans to continue her education at Northeast Ohio Medical University to earn a doctorate in Endocrinology so that she might become a diabetic specialist.
	Caitlyn C. Gilbertson is this year’s alternate. She is the daughter of member Tim F. Gilbertson of Platteville, Wisc. Caitlyn is currently attending Belmont High School and has been accepted at Madison College. Caitlyn intends to major in Accounting.