COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Tire and Automotive Association (OTAA) has awarded five scholarships, worth $3,500 each, to Ohio students pursuing careers in the tire and automotive industries.
"We have been doing this for a number of years, and it's always rewarding to be able to support young people who have a desire to advance themselves," OTAA President Joe Flynn said in a statement.
Receiving the scholarships this year were:
- Katie Frame;
- Rory Zakareckis;
- Abigail Birsic;
- Dakota Higgins; and
- Craig Magas.
Each year, scholarship winners are nominated and sponsored by OTAA members. According to Mr. Flynn, each of this year's recipients was nominated by members of the OTAA board of directors.
Winners are chosen on the basis of need, community service, extra curricular activities, written essay response and leadership. While the student's overall GPA is considered, it is not the deciding factor in who receives the award.
The OTAA did not indicate how, if at all, the candidates are related to OTAA member companies or their employees.
The scholarship is open to U.S. citizens who are graduating high school seniors enrolled in courses at a college, university or automotive-related technical school or automotive related technical college of their choice at the beginning of their school's next academic year.
Students attending tuition-free institutions are discouraged from applying.
The OTAA's scholarship program not only represents a way for the organization to give back, it also serves as an investment in the next generation of industry leaders, according to Mr. Flynn .
"It is a great program and obviously a tremendous benefit for our members who sponsor each applicant," Mr. Flynn said. "We hope this program will continue to incentivize students to seek further education and training, especially those students who have an interest in the automotive industry."
The OTAA serves Ohio tire and automotive dealers, their suppliers, and other members of Ohio's tire industry. Additional information can be found at ohiotire.org.