The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association announced the recipients of this year’s Mary Johnston Scholarship. Since 1998, the fund has awarded approximately $400,000 to students who are the children, grandchildren or legal dependents of OOIDA members.

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 entertain what changes they see occurring down the road that might improve the trucking industry.

Each year, one $2,000 scholarship and four $1,000 scholarships are awarded. An alternate is also named each year. The funds are transferred directly to the student’s selected institution and can be renewed for a total of four years. The scholarships may also be used for trade schools, not necessarily 4-year colleges.

 

2025 Scholarship Winners

  1. Wyatt Arntt is the son of senior member Steve Arntt of Goodland, KS. He will graduate from High School in May 2025. Wyatt will attend Fort Hayes Tech NW in Goodland, KS.

  2. Cooper Daniel is the son of member Mark Daniel of Seymour, TX. He will graduate from Lexington High School in May 2025. Cooper will attend Texas State Technical College in Waco, TX. Cooper is pursuing a degree in Electrical Linework and Management Technology.

  3. Madison Woehrle is the daughter of senior member Chad Woehrle of Eustis, NE. She graduated from Eustis-Farnam Public School in May 2024. Madison will attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she plans to major in Agricultural Education.

  4. Sig Halvorson is the grandson of Life member Dale Scott of Tolna, ND. He graduated from Dakota Prairie High School in May 2024. Sig is currently enrolled at North Dakota State College of Science in Whapeton, ND where he is majoring in Diesel Technology.

  5. Michael Rotondo is the grandson of Life member Richard Turner of Spencer, MA. He graduated from Saint John’s High School May 2024. Michael is currently enrolled at the University of Notre Dame, where he will major in Pre-Med.

  6. Owen Pingel is the grandson of Life member Richard Pingel of Plover, WI. He will graduate from Amherst Highschool in May 2025. Owen plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, WI, where he will major in Construction Management.