The Technology & Maintenance Council of American Trucking Associations has awarded five diesel truck technician scholarships for the 2012-2013 academic year.
This was done in partnership with WyoTech, the University of Northwestern Ohio and Lincoln Technical Institute/Nashville Auto-Diesel College.

Chris Henry, Leeper, Pa., and Ashton O'Brien, Randolph, N.Y., were awarded WyoTech scholarships for attendance at either the Laramie, Wyo., or Blairsville, Pa., campus. The tuition-only scholarship is awarded for 1500 clock hours (12 months) attendance to either of WyoTech's Laramie or Blairsville campuses. Both Henry and O'Brien selected the Blairsville campus.

Henry, a 2012 graduate of North Clarion High School in Tionesta, Pa., and a 2012 graduate of the Clarion County Career Center in Shippenville, Pa., was president of the automotive club and a member of the Honor Society. He took first place in the district SkillsUSA competition and worked for a local auto repair shop. O'Brien, a 2012 graduate of Randolph Central School, studied power equipment technology, was active in numerous school activities including Future Farmers of America, and was also a member of the Randolph Volunteer Fire Department for the past three years.

Paige Marie Quear, Hermitage, Pa., was awarded an UNOH scholarship for study in auto/diesel technology or specialized studies in automotive management at the Lima, Ohio, campus. She is a 2012 graduate of Hickory High School where she studied diesel mechanics, contributed in numerous ways to the school's vo-tech program and was class secretary. The scholarship is awarded for an amount to cover unmet tuition only, not to exceed $16,000 and/or 180 credit hours.

Brandon David Cross, Pennsville, N.J., and Sean Henry Maher, Belvidere, N.J., were awarded LTI/NADC scholarships for a 1200-1560 hour program to one of six locations: Denver; Indianapolis; Nashville, Tenn.; Grand Prairie, Texas; E. Windsor, Conn.; South Plainfield, N.J. Both chose to attend the South Plainfield, N.J., campus.

Cross, a 2012 graduate of Pennsville Memorial High School, rebuilt his wrecked Dodge pickup, including its 5.9L Cummins diesel engine and transmission, and races with his family in the Diesel Nationals. He also worked rebuilding engines and differentials at a local machine shop.

Maher, a 2012 graduate of Belvidere High School, gained significant automotive experience during his high school years working a an auto repair shop and salvage company.

The scholarships, part of an ongoing effort by TMC's Professional Technician Development Committee to promote and enhance the professionalism of commercial vehicle technicians, were formally announced during TMC's 2012 Fall Meeting and National Technician Skills Competition.