GREENVILLE, S.C. – (Oct. 31, 2013) – Michelin North America and the Tire Industry Association (TIA) are pleased to announce the recipients of the Michelin/TIA Scholarship Award for the 2013-2014 academic school year. This year, three students were recognized for their academic and extracurricular achievements.
A total of $6,250 was awarded to the three students -- Karli Gajdostik of Toledo, Ohio, Hannah Gipson of Prattville, Ala., and Lauren Tucker of Lakewood, Calif., -- and will go toward their college education. Each winner cited the importance of this scholarship in helping to cover the costs of their continued education.
“TIA is glad to work alongside Michelin to sponsor these scholarships. We are honored to be able to recognize the achievements of these fine young individuals in front of hundreds of members of our industry at our Tire Industry Honors Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas,” said TIA executive vice president Roy Littlefield.
The Michelin/TIA Scholarship has been awarded every year since 2000 to either part-time employees or dependent children of full-time employees of TIA member tire dealers. Since inception, more than $250,000 has been awarded to 46 recipients who have gone on to attend accredited two-year, four-year, technical or vocational schools. Once awarded, the recipients may renew the scholarship for up to three more years.
Karli Gajdostik is a recent graduate Central Catholic High School. Gajdostik worked for Shrader Tire and Oil in Toledo throughout high school. She also maintained and balanced a challenging course load and involvement in extracurricular and service activities. She is attending Kent State University and planning a career in fashion design.
Hannah Gipson of Prattville, Ala., is co-captain of the speech and debate team and a varsity cheerleader at Prattville Christian Academy. Gipson is the daughter of Alta and Hannibal Gipson of Gipson’s Auto and Tire. She is pursuing a degree in elementary education at Auburn University.
Lauren Tucker of Lakewood, Calif., is a two-time volleyball captain and honor roll graduate from Fountain Valley High School. She is the daughter of Patrick Tucker of Allen Tire Company. Lauren will study kinesiology at Irvine Valley College and hopes to become a professional baseball trainer or scout, a passion she developed while serving as an athletic trainer at her high school.
The scholarship winners will be recognized at this year’s Tire Industry Honors Awards Ceremony on Monday, Nov. 4 in Las Vegas and the Global Tire Expo. The event is open to all Global Tire Expo attendees. Tickets are complimentary with advance registration requested. Registration information is available on www.tireindustry.org.
About Tire Industry Association
The Tire Industry Association, with a 90 year history representing all segments of the national and international tire industry, is the leading advocate, as well as, instructor in technical training of tire service technicians. For more information, visit www.tireindustry.org or call 800-876-8372.