LAS VEGAS (Nov. 13, 2001)—Megan Swindell, daughter of Heafner Tire Group's Gary Swindell and a senior at Durant Senior High School in Valrico, Fla., has won a $10,000 college scholarship as the top winner in the annual scholarship program offered by Michelin North America Inc. and the Tire Association of North America.
Two other students each received $5,000 in scholarships. They are: Christine Marie Ascheman, daughter of Douglas Ascheman of Bauer Built Inc. and a senior at Blue Earth Area High School in Easton, Minn., and Anna Ekstrand-Brummer, daughter of Henry Brummer also of Bauer Built and a senior at Red Wing High School in Red Wing, Minn.
Ken Kruithof, vice president of national dealer sales at Michelin Americas Small Tires, announced the scholarship winners Oct. 30 during the Specialty Equipment Market Association/International Tire Expo in Las Vegas.
For the past seven years, Michelin and TANA have annually awarded $20,000 in scholarships through the program, which recognizes the academic promise, leadership and community service of outstanding students. The program is open to part-time employees or dependents of full-time employees of tire dealerships that are members of TANA.
Applicants for the scholarship program must be high school seniors, have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average and plan to pursue post-secondary education at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational/technical school. The students receive either $2,500 per year or $1,250 per year for up to four years.
Since the program's inception in 1995, Michelin and TANA have awarded 21 scholarships worth a total of $140,000.