FINDLAY, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cooper Tire & Rubber Company today announced that it has awarded scholarships to six high school students pursing higher education. The first ever Roy V. Armes scholarship, in the amount of $5,000, and five Cooper Centennial Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each, were awarded to deserving children of Cooper employees in the United States.
The Roy V. Armes Scholarship was established in 2016 to honor former Cooper Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Roy Armes, upon his retirement. Armes served Cooper for nearly a decade, and this fund was created in recognition of his contributions and achievements. The scholarship is focused on high-achieving students who will attend a four-year institution of higher learning to pursue careers in business or engineering.
The recipient of the Roy V. Armes Scholarship is:
- Ryan Stuckey—Ryan is the 18-year-old son of Nick Stuckey, a Lead Engineer for Cooper’s Global Technical Center, and his wife, Annette. He is a graduate of Cory-Rawson High School in Mt. Cory, Ohio, and intends to study mechanical engineering at The Ohio State University. Ryan was a four-year member of the soccer team and basketball team, and also participated in Show Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Student Council. He was named a member of the National Honor Society and earned a spot on the All-A Honor Roll all four years of high school. Outside of school, he has served as president of his 4-H club and church youth group, and participated in mission trips and community service activities.
The Cooper Centennial Scholarship is in its third year and was originated to commemorate the company’s 100th anniversary in 2014. The scholarship is available to the children of Cooper employees who are outstanding students and intend to pursue careers related to manufacturing at a technical school, college or university.
Centennial Scholarship recipients are:
- McClain Brown—McClain is the 18-year-old son of Channel Development and National Account Manager Doug Brown and his wife, Stephanie. He is a graduate of Van Buren High School in Van Buren, Ohio, and intends to study mechanical engineering at Miami University. An active student, McClain captained the Division III state runner-up golf team, was a dance captain for The Association Show Choir and served as Pep Club president. He was also president of the National Honor Society and took part in chorus and musicals. McClain has served as the treasurer of the Findlay YMCA’s Engage Program and volunteered at 50 North, The First Tee, Pheasants Forever and American Red Cross blood drives.
- Erica Cantrell—Erica is the 18-year-old daughter of Denieta Cantrell, Human Resources Manager at Cooper’s Tupelo plant, and her husband, Chris. She is a graduate of Vina High School in Vina, Alabama, where she earned the honor of class valedictorian. Erica intends to study business and finance at the University of North Alabama. A four-year member of the softball team, Erica served as the starting pitcher and team leader. She was a member of National Honor Society and active in Future Business Leaders of America, the Student Government Association, Franklin County Junior Leadership, her church youth group and as a vacation bible school teacher.
- Zackary High—Zackary is the 17-year-old son of Cooper Quality Engineer Jeff High and his wife, Kim. He is a graduate of Ingomar Attendance Center in New Albany, Mississippi, and intends to pursue a degree in civil engineering beginning at Northeast Mississippi Community College then transferring to the University of Mississippi. Zackary was a four-year member, letterman and team captain of both the basketball and golf teams. He was a member of Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Math Club and Science Club. Outside of school, he has taken part in Union County 4-H Shooting Sports, mission trips and church youth group.
- Emily Howard—Emily is the 18-year-old daughter of Marybeth Howard, Cooper Customer Service Lead, and her husband, Doug. She is a graduate of Findlay High School and intends to pursue a degree in chemical engineering at The University of Toledo. She has earned academic honors as a member of the Distinguished Honor Roll and National Honor Society, and she received the Scholar Musician Award all four years of high school. She has taken part in Findlay High School Choir and musicals. Emily volunteers in the community with Children’s Mentoring Connection, Relay for Life and the Salvation Army.
- Jacob Schimmoeller—Jacob is the 18-year-old son of Dale E. Schimmoeller, a Lead Engineer for Cooper’s Global Technical Center, and his wife, Lisa. He is a graduate of Miller City High School in Miller City, Ohio, and intends to study mechanical engineering at the University of Toledo. Jacob was a three-sport athlete throughout high school earning accolades in golf, baseball and basketball. He was also active in marching band, concert band and a member of the National Honor Society. Jacob also volunteered outside of school as a member of his youth group and as a Little League umpire.
“We are proud to support the families of our Cooper employees, who are some of the best and brightest in the industry, by offering these scholarships to the next generation of workforce leaders,” said Brad Hughes, Cooper’s President & Chief Executive Officer. “These students are top tier and very deserving of the scholarship awards. They have excelled in the classroom, taken part in extracurricular activities and given back to their communities. I congratulate the recipients and wish them the best of luck as they pursue their career goals.”
Cooper’s scholarship program is administered by the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, an independent philanthropic agency that manages more than 350 funds, including over 100 scholarships. To be considered for these awards, each student is required to submit an application and essay. An independent committee then selects the winners. This year, six students were selected from among 33 qualifying applicants nationwide.
About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: CTB) is the parent company of a global family of companies that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sale of passenger car, light truck, medium truck, motorcycle and racing tires. Cooper's headquarters is in Findlay, Ohio, with manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design operations within its family of companies located in more than one dozen countries around the world. For more information on Cooper, visit www.coopertire.com, www.facebook.com/coopertire or www.twitter.com/coopertire.