OOIDA announces 2024 Mary Johnston Scholarship winners

OOIDA has announced the winners of this year’s Mary Johnston Scholarship awards.

A $2,000 winner and four $1,000 winners again were selected through a blind-evaluation process.

Mason Houghton ($2,000 winner)

The grandson of life member Ronnie Martin of Tarkio, Mo., Mason Houghton plans to attend Central Community College in Hastings, Neb., and major in on-highway truck diesel.

Mason said it was his relationship with his grandpa that cultivated his interest in trucking.

“We have gone on countless trips in the truck,” he added. “I love hearing his stories and talking with him about trucking whenever we get the chance to do so.”

In addition to the stories, Mason has acquired useful industry skills from his grandpa.

“I have learned to do fuel reports, weekly load paperwork, record keeping, maintenance and various other things,” he said. “Not only has this helped me save money, but it taught me valuable lessons.”

Mason added that helping improve fuel efficiency is among his future career goals.

Camden Dickman

Camden Dickman will major in natural resources and criminal justice at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Neb. He is the grandson of Richard Woehrle of Lexington, Neb., an OOIDA life member.

Camden said his family has strong ties to trucking and that these heavily influenced his development.

“My dad and grandfathers have shown me what it means to work hard and take care of those they love while spending countless hours away from home,” Camden said. “By watching and learning from them, I feel it has prepared me in ways that others haven’t experienced.”

Briley Douglas

Briley Douglas is the daughter of senior member Billy Douglas II of Andalusia, Ala. Her future plans include attending the University of Alabama, where she will major in early childhood special education.

Briley explained the positive influence of trucking in her life.

“Trucking offered me the opportunity to travel to new places and learn how blessed I am,” she said. “Trucking has also provided financial stability for my family, and the time between trips resulted in family bonding.”

And trucking’s influence extends well beyond her family, Briley added.

“Truckers ensure the steady supply of essential goods, drive economic growth and improve accessibility to products and services,” she said. “These contributions are essential to our well-being and prosperity.”

Jalynn Brown

Jalynn Brown is the daughter of senior member Brad Brown of Ainsworth, Iowa. She currently is majoring in dietetics at Iowa State University.

Many of her life lessons have come from the trucking industry, Jalynn said.

“Love your career, but love your life more,” she added. “My dad is a hard worker and spends a lot of time on the road, but whenever he gets the chance, he does what he loves with the people he loves. He preaches to find something you are passionate about and make it your career so you don’t have to work a day in your life.”

Jalynn believes her pursuit of a career in sports nutrition could benefit truckers.

“Being on the road leads to inadequate exercise and struggling to find healthy foods,” Jalynn said. “The trucking industry could benefit from having access to nutritional meals while on the road.”

MiliJo Hooyman

MiliJo Hooyman will attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to major in radiology. She is the daughter of life member Jeff Hooyman of Kaukauna, Wis.

Work ethic, responsibility and integrity were learned directly from her father, MiliJo said.

“My dad has raised me to be independent and work for myself,” she added. “He has motivated me to stay focused, use my money wisely and stay on the correct path.”

While not pursuing a trucking-related career, MiliJo said she is still greatly impacted by her father’s teaching.

“It motivates me to work harder and push through obstacles,” she added. “My perseverance will push me to become educationally productive and help me succeed in the future.”

Scholarship awards through the Mary Johnston Scholarship program are transferred directly to the student’s selected institution and are renewable for a total of four years. The funds can be used for tuition as well as any legitimate school-related expense.

Since OOIDA established the Mary Johnston Scholarship Fund in 1998, approximately $400,000 has been awarded to scholarship recipients.

More information about the program is available online at OOIDA.com/scholarship-program. LL