Cooper Tire Awards Annual Roy V. Armes and Centennial Scholarships
Six students receive awards from national scholarship programs
benefitting children of Cooper employees
FINDLAY, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Cooper Tire & Rubber Company today announced that six high school
seniors have been selected to receive scholarships to pursue higher
education. The Roy V. Armes Scholarship, in the amount of $5,000, and
five Cooper Centennial Scholarships, in the amount of $1,000 each, were
awarded.
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 and goes to the child of a Cooper employee in the United
States.
The recipient of the Roy V. Armes Scholarship is:
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Kaleb Manley —Kaleb is the 18-year-old son of Larry Manley,
Control Room Operator for Cooper’s Texarkana plant, and his wife,
Alicia. He is a graduate of Arkansas High School in Texarkana,
Arkansas and is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at the
University of Arkansas. Kaleb was a four-year member of Student
Council, serving as President his senior year, and a member of the
National Honor Society, Robotics Club and Tobacco Prevention Club. He
was a letter-winner in soccer and played football. Outside of school,
he has served as a volunteer for the Special Olympics, was a delegate
to Arkansas Boys State, has been an active member of his church, and
held a job averaging more than 20 hours per week.
The Cooper Centennial Scholarship is in its fifth year and was
originated to commemorate the company’s 100th anniversary in
2014. The scholarship is available to the children of Cooper employees
in the U.S. who are outstanding high school seniors who will pursue
degrees at a college, university or technical school.
Centennial Scholarship recipients are:
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Benjamin Howard—Benjamin is the 18-year-old son of Fleet
Services Senior Specialist Marybeth Howard, who is based at Cooper’s
Findlay headquarters, and her husband, Doug. He is a graduate of
Findlay High School in Findlay, Ohio and intends to study
biochemistry/pre-dentistry at The Ohio State University. An active
student-athlete, Benjamin was a four-year member of the basketball and
baseball teams and served as team captain of both. He also
participated in soccer and was a member of the National Honor Society
and Student Athletic Leadership Team. He has volunteered with the West
Ohio Food Bank, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Salvation Army
Red Kettle Campaign, American Red Cross blood drives and multiple
youth basketball and baseball camps.
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Madelin Kreinbrink—Madelin is the 18-year-old daughter of Rod
Kreinbrink, Manufacturing Reliability Director, who is based at
Cooper’s Findlay headquarters, and his wife, Heather. She is a
graduate of Findlay High School in Findlay, Ohio, where she ranked
first in her class. She intends to study nursing at The Ohio State
University. Active in music, Madelin was a four-year member of show
choir, including three years as part of Findlay First Edition and one
year as a member of Voices in Perfection. She was a member of Teen
Leadership Corps, the National Honor Society, Junior Statesmen of
America and served as a delegate to Buckeye Girls State. Madelin was
also active as a member of her church youth group and served as part
of the youth board. -
Alyssa Smith—Alyssa is the 18-year-old daughter of Jeff Smith,
Tire Inspector at Cooper’s Texarkana plant, and his wife, ARhonda. She
is a graduate of Arkansas High School in Texarkana, Arkansas, where
she earned the honor of valedictorian. She intends to pursue a degree
in engineering at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Alyssa
was a four-year member of Student Council and the softball team. She
has participated in Fellowship of Christian Students, Art Club, and
Interact Service Club. She also has been an active member of her
church ministry team and volunteered for Special Olympics, Harvest
Texarkana Food Bank, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and the Tim
Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine. -
Lillian Swails—Lillian is the 18-year-old daughter of David
Swails, Millwright at Cooper’s Findlay plant, and his wife, Lisa. She
is a graduate of Arlington High School in Arlington, Ohio and intends
to pursue a degree in environmental safety and occupational health at
the University of Findlay. Lillian was a four-year member of the
Arlington All-Brass Band, FFA and participated in numerous school
plays and musicals. She was a member of both the National Honor
Society and Science National Honor Society. Outside of school, she was
a six-year member of 4-H and participated in Junior Fairboard and
Hancock County Junior Leadership. Lillian has volunteered for several
years with the Arlington Village Festival. -
Jacob Tackett—Jacob is the 18-year-old son of Chad and Tracy
Tackett. Chad is the Mold Shop Supervisor for Cooper’s Findlay plant
and Tracy works as a Graphic Designer at Cooper’s Findlay
headquarters. He is a graduate of Riverdale High School in Mt.
Blanchard, Ohio, and intends to study engineering technology at Owens
Community College. Jacob was a four-year member of his school’s
industrial arts program and participated in baseball, basketball and
golf, serving as captain of the golf team. He was an active member of
Boy Scouts of America, holding many leadership positions and earning
Eagle Scout rank. He was also active in his church youth group and
operated a part-time firewood business.
“This very deserving group of scholarship winners has not only excelled
in the classroom, but has served as student leaders, been active members
of their communities and held part-time jobs while in school. We are
proud to support them with scholarships from Cooper,” said Brad Hughes,
President & Chief Executive Officer. “I congratulate these exceptional
students and their families, and wish them the best as they pursue
continued education toward their career goals.”
Cooper’s scholarship program is administered by the Findlay-Hancock
County Community Foundation, an independent philanthropic agency that
manages nearly 400 funds, including 115 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 40 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.
Contacts
Anne Roman
419.429.7189
alroman@coopertire.com