OOIDA scholarship winners try to live by example set by trucking family members
Four words on a shirt have an extra special meaning for Jewell Cox, daughter of senior member Tony Cox of Elk Horn, Ky., and recipient of a $2,000 scholarship through the OOIDA Mary Johnston Scholarship Fund.
“‘Driving my life away,’ is a saying on my dad’s shirt,” Jewell wrote. “As a hardworking trucker, my dad is dedicated to doing what is best for our family. My dad is devoted to doing the best work. No matter what he does, he goes above and beyond.”
Diagnosed with a congenital joint disorder called arthrogryposis, Jewell remains focused on achieving her goals thanks, in large part, to the support she has received from her father.
“I’ve always dreamed big, believing anything can be possible,” she wrote. “Not only is my dad a trucker all night, he comes home to help me live my dream of owning a horse. My dad always found time to be there, no matter how tired or exhausted he is.”
Jewell is a 2020 graduate of Campbellsville High School and enrolled in Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, where she is majoring in business administration.
“Getting this degree gives me many options for careers and allows me to dream big,” Jewell wrote. “Maybe I can even have my own business someday. I want to have a good career so I can be able to take care of myself and also be there for my parents when needed.”
The Mary Johnston Scholarship is one of the most important benefits that we offer at OOIDA, said Andrew King, research analyst for the OOIDA Foundation.
“The Mary Johnston Scholarship program provides a unique opportunity for the students who too often are overlooked during the scholarship process. We have had nurses, attorneys, heavy equipment mechanics, and even NASA engineers come through our program. It is a blessing that we are able to assist the children, grandchildren, and dependent children of truckers.”
There were also four $1,000 scholarship winners: Colten Ballard, Jayden Hensley, Garrett Bennett and Kaden de Jong. Meghan McClain was selected as an alternate.
Colten Ballard is the grandson of life member Kenneth Wilson of Amarillo, Texas. He was set to graduate from V.R. Eaton High School in June and plans to study to become an aviation mechanic at Tarrant Community College in Fort Worth, Texas.
“My grandfather, who is a truck driver, has provided the following three positive influences in my life; timing, integrity and focus.” Colten wrote. “Follow through with no exceptions, pay attention to details, and get the job done correctly.”
Jayden Hensley is the daughter of senior member Darrin Hensley of Osakis, Minn. She was set to graduate from Osakis Public High School in May. Jayden received a letter of acceptance from Minnesota State University, Moorhead, where she intends to major in business administration with an emphasis on management.
“The trucking industry has been in my family for 45 years,” Jayden wrote. “Growing up with this influence, I have learned to be kind, put in hard work and have flexibility.
“I hope the industry gets the respect and gratitude that they deserve for keeping America moving forward.”
Garrett Bennett is the son of life member Paul Bennett of Seneca, Kan. He was scheduled to graduate from Nemaha Central High School in May. He has received a letter of acceptance from Kansas State University Polytechnic where he intends to major in aviation.
“When I was a child I spent a lot of time riding with my father in his Peterbilt,” Garrett wrote. “Some of my favorite memories are riding along until I got bored and then entertaining myself in the sleeper by reading or watching movies. Not realizing it until later, I learned a lot riding with him every day.”
Kaden de Jong is the son of senior member Benjamin de Jong of McFall, Mo. Kaden was set to graduate from Pattonsburg High School in May. He received an acceptance letter from the University of Missouri, Columbia. Kaden plans to major in pre-veterinary medicine.
“I live in an area that relies heavily on the trucking industry for its livelihood,” Kaden wrote. “Truckers have had many positive influences on my life, but the top three things I have learned from truck drivers are patience, cautious driving, and hard work.”
Meghan McClain is the daughter of member Calvin McClain of Lake Lillian, Minn. She was scheduled to graduate from Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School in May. Meghan has received an acceptance letter from Southwest Minnesota State University, where she will pursue a career in graphic design.
“I am proud to say my father’s a truck driver,” Meghan wrote. “Every time I go to work with him, I learn something new. Truck drivers are important. Many people didn’t realize how important they were until the COVID-19 pandemic hit and everything shut down. The public finally realized that truckers are essential in our everyday lives.” LL