SEMA Show pre-show: Michelin/TIA scholarship winners announced

Nov. 5, 2014

Michelin North America and the Tire Industry Association (TIA) have announced the recipients of the Michelin/TIA Scholarship Award for the 2014-2015 academic school year. This year, three students were selected for their academic and extracurricular achievements.

The scholarship winners were recognized at the Tire Industry Honors Awards Ceremony which was held on Monday, Nov. 3, at Caesars Palace Las Vegas before the start of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show and the Global Tire Expo – Powered by TIA.

A total of $6,250 was awarded to the three students – Alexa Swingle of Omaha, Neb.; Zachary Taylor of Mt. Olive, Ill.; and Kaitlyn Wade of Stevensville, Mich. -- and will go toward their college education. Each winner cited the importance of this scholarship in helping to cover the costs of their continued education.

“With the cost of higher education continuing to increase, we know how important these scholarships are to the recipients. TIA is pleased to work alongside Michelin again this year to sponsor this program,” says TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield.  

The Michelin/TIA Scholarship has been awarded every year since 2000 to either part-time employees or dependent children of full-time employees of TIA member tire dealers. Since inception, more than $250,000 has been awarded to 49 recipients who have gone on to attend accredited two-year, four-year, technical or vocational schools. Once awarded, the recipients may renew the scholarship for up to three more years.

Alexa Swingle graduated from Millard West High School and is the daughter of Halsey Swingle of TCI in Columbia, S.C. She attends the University of South Carolina and plans a career as a pharmacist at a children’s hospital.

Zachary Taylor is a recent graduate of Gillespie High School. He is the son of Michael Taylor of Taylor Tire and Auto Inc. in Litchfield, Ill. He attends Upper Iowa University and studies criminal justice. He hopes to become a state trooper and eventually a member of the FBI.

Kaitlyn Wade graduated from Lakeshore High School and attends Grand Valley State University. Wade is the daughter of Mark Wade of M&W Tire in Benton Harbor, Mich.