Volvo Trucks North America has announced the winners of its first "Volvo Trucks Great Minds" scholarships
, which are given to three students whose parent or guardian drives or owns a Volvo truck.

The company will give out one-year scholarships to these students in the amount of $20,000, $10,000 and $5,000. The three students chosen include Nathan Wittman, Jennifer Kaiser and Gregory Herbert.

"The Great Minds scholarships are a way for Volvo Trucks to give back to our customers and show how much we appreciate their support," said Scott Kress, Volvo senior vice president of sales and marketing. "It's also a great way to reward achievement and hard work by the generation which will succeed us."

Wittman, of Columbus City, Iowa, was awarded the $20,000 scholarship from Volvo to continue his education at the University of Iowa. His father, David Wittman, drives a Volvo VNL770 as an owner-operator for Barr-Nunn Transportation.

Kaiser, from Milford, Iowa, will receive $10,000 as she enters Drake University in the Fall. Her family's agricultural operations rely heavily on trucks, including her father's 1999 Volvo VN.

Herbert of Villa Park, Ill., will put $5,000 from Volvo toward his education at the Illinois Institute of Technology. His father, Rick Herbert, drives Volvo VNM Daycabs for YRC.

The winners were selected based on their overall academic performance, extracurricular activities, work experience and an essay.

"It was extremely difficult to make our selection from so many excellent and deserving candidates," said Kress. "Trucking has obviously been a strong and beneficial influence in their lives and Volvo is proud to be associated with them."