FINDLAY, Ohio — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has awarded $10,000 worth of scholarships to six recent high school graduates who have at least one parent working at Cooper.
The scholarships — the Roy V. Armes and Cooper Centennial scholarship programs — are awarded to "high-achieving students" who plan to attend a four-year institution of higher learning to pursue careers in business or engineering.
The Roy V. Armes Scholarship was established in 2016 to honor former Cooper chairman, CEO and president Roy Armes upon his retirement. The Cooper Centennial Scholarship was originated in 2014 to commemorate the company's 100th anniversary.
"Cooper's company purpose is to help everyone travel through life's journeys with confidence, and to be there for people at every turn," Chris Ball, Cooper Tire President – Americas, said.
"We're proud to invest in the future of such a deserving, accomplished group of students, and we wish each the best with their continued education, and ultimately, their careers."
One student, Griffin Weinstein of Findlay, Ohio, received both the Roy V. Armes Scholarship and a Centennial Scholarship, the first time this has happened.
The Armes Scholarship is renewable over four years and valued at up to $5,000, while the Centennial Scholarships are valued at $1,000 each.
Griffin Weinstein is the son of Lisa and Steven Weinstein, manager of research and development, all-terrain and light truck tires, at Cooper's Findlay headquarters. A graduate of Findlay High School, Griffin Weinstein intends to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Toledo (Ohio).
Additional Centennial Scholarship recipients are:
- Bridget Brigadoi, daughter of Brenda Brigadoi, who works as an analyst supporting Cooper's Business Information Services and Project Management Office in Findlay and her husband Bryan. A graduate of Heritage Christian School in Findlay, Bridget Brigadoi plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University where she will study applied mathematics.
- Spencer High, son of Jeff High, a quality engineer at Cooper's Tupelo, Miss., plant, and his wife Kim. Spencer High graduated from Ingomar Attendance Center in New Albany, Miss., and intends to pursue a degree in electrical engineering at the University of Mississippi.
- Libby McVetta, daughter of Kevin McVetta, production lead at Cooper's Findlay plant, and his wife Jana. She is a recent graduate of Cory Rawson High School in Rawson, Ohio, and intends to pursue a degree in speech-language pathology at the University of Toledo.
- Addison Smedley, daughter of David Smedley, a tire inspector at Cooper's Texarkana, Ark., plant, and his wife Britany. She graduated as salutatorian from Ashdown High School in Ashdown, Ark., and plans to pursue a degree in speech therapy at Harding University in Searcy, Ark.
Cooper's scholarship programs are administered by the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, an independent philanthropic agency that manages nearly 450 funds, including 135 scholarships. To be considered for these awards, each student is required to submit an application and essay.
Since the inception of these two funds, Cooper has awarded 37 students with scholarships.
