The ATSS Foundation's Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship
A brighter road ahead
Each year, The Foundation supports dependents of roadway workers killed or permanently disabled in roadway work zones with the Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship, providing financial assistance for their post-high school education.
In 2019, The Foundation was able to award scholarships to nine students across the country and hopes to provide additional scholarships to those who are eligible for the 2020-2021 academic year.
“We are dedicated to supporting the loved ones of roadway workers through all of The Foundation’s many programs,” said Foundation President Dave Krahulec. “Our scholarship program does just that, and we’ve been able to help support several young individuals achieve their academic dreams.”
Foundation Manager Lori Diaz said it had been an honor to work with and build relationships with these young individuals and though their experiences are truly tragic; it has been inspiring to watch them raise awareness of the importance of roadway safety by sharing their stories.
“Roadway workers are expertly trained, and there are advancements in safety technology to prevent accidents at work sites, but no matter how much precaution is taken there is always the chance that something can go wrong,” Diaz said. “If we can help support their loved ones in any way, we will.”
Former scholarship recipient Lyndsay Sutton said with support from The Foundation and other scholarships, she was able to attend and graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University.
Sutton’s father Steven was employed by DBi Services when he was killed by a motorist who lost control of his vehicle during a work zone traffic slowdown in 2011. Sutton now works at DBi Services.
“I'm grateful for The Foundation. I believe in its mission and what they all are doing there,” Sutton said. “Receiving the scholarship was a blessing, and I think that I have my dad to thank for that. He was a huge part in me graduating college as well as my family, people from The Foundation, and the other scholarship programs. I look forward to being in the industry with all of The Foundation and ATSSA staff.”
This program is competitive and has a value of up to $10,000 and scholarship recipients who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteerism are also eligible for a $1,000 scholarship in honor of former ATSSA member Chuck Bailey, who was killed in a tragic highway accident in 2002.
The following are the 2019-2020 scholarship recipients:
Tessa Beard
Highland, Illinois
Beard is studying Psychology at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Beard was eleven-years-old when her father, Dennis, was struck and killed by a speeding motorist while setting up a lane closure on Interstate 64 near Fairview Heights, IL. Beard will also receive an additional scholarship of $1,000 for her volunteer work.
Aaron Baker
LeCenter, Minnesota
Baker will study Health Sciences at Winona State University this fall. Baker was eight-years-old when his father, Jack, was struck and killed by a train during a moving work zone operation.
Cody Garner
Batesville, Arkansas
Garner is studying Pre-Law and majoring in both International/Global Studies and Political Science while minoring in Legal Studies and Agricultural Business at the University of Arkansas. Garner was fifteen-years-old when his father, John, was killed when the road surface compactor he was operating flipped over on a steep incline and rolled over him. Recently, Garner was awarded an internship with Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) at his state office for the summer.
Cameron Hutt
Cleveland, Tennessee
Hutt is studying Communications at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Hutt was six-years-old when her father, Christopher, was installing a speed limit sign when two cars crashed in the work zone and subsequently struck and killed him. Hutt will also receive an additional scholarship of $1,000 for her volunteer work.
Mariela Lara
Ojai, California
Lara will study Environmental Biology at Cal Poly Pomona this fall. Lara was fourteen-years-old when her father, Adan, was clearing a road in preparation for storm “El Nino” when he was struck and killed by a motorist.
Brionna Lizotte
Montreal, Missouri
Lizotte is studying Psychology and Justice Systems at Truman State University. Lizotte was three-years-old when her father, Gerald, was transporting materials from a worksite for his job with the Missouri Department of Transportation when he was struck by a vehicle, resulting in his death.
Andrea Pair
Spiro, Oklahoma
Pair is a Pharmacy grad student at Harding College of Pharmacy. Pair's father, Shannon, was removing pavement marking from a highway when a vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and struck and killed him. Pair was two-years-old when her father died at the age of 31.
Jacob Schwarz
Monee, Illinois
Schwarz is studying animation with a concentration in computers at Columbia College Chicago. His father, David, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run semitrailer driver in September 2017 while he was removing debris off the Tri-State Tollway in Alsip.
Marcie Walker
Dry Ridge, Kentucky
Walker is studying music education at Morehead State University. Walker was fifteen-years-old when her father, Daniel, was securing a concrete divider when a dump truck crashed into a semitrailer that subsequently struck and killed him.
To learn more about the Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship program and to download an application, visit foundation.atssa.com, where information about The Foundation’s other programs, including the National Work Zone Memorial and Experience Camps Travel Scholarship, is also available.