Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Impact Stories

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In Their Words: Hear from recipients about how education scholarships changed their lives


Daniel Hart, scholarship recipient

 

Mariela Lara, scholarship recipient

 

Joann Jones, recipient 2020-2022

 

Watch videos from other scholarship recipients like Cameron Hutt, Cody Garner, Emily Hause and the Walker sisters on our YouTube playlist.

 

 

 

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The ATSS Foundation has awarded more than 85 Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarships since 2002 and more than 20 Chuck Bailey Memorial Scholarships since 2004. This financial assistance for higher education helps ensure that the academic goals of recipients can continue.

 

Here are a few more stories of how The ATSS Foundation has changed lives. Has The Foundation made a difference in your life or the life of a loved one? We'd love to hear from you! Let us know. 

 

 

 

Pirelli sisters

"I am able to focus on my schooling and not have to worry about working a full-time job," said Megan, who is studying to make a career in the nursing field. Following some personal medical issues, where her own nurses made a lasting impression, Megan said, "that's the kind of nurse I want to be. I want my patients to find comfort in me." -- Megan Pirelli (right), recipient 2021-23 (Kaitlyn, left, was a recipient 2021-22

 

Read more of the Pirelli sisters' story in "Scholarship recipient is motivated to care for others"

 

 

Joann Jones

The scholarship allowed Joann to focus on her studies without the stress of taking on large amounts of debt. She is also able to attend a private school with a smaller environment that is a good fit for her. -- Joann Jones, recipient 2020-22

 

Read more of Joann's story in "Scholarship helps student reach for the stars"

 

 

Cody Garner

"Getting the scholarship was tremendous ... [It] helped me to be able to focus mainly on my studies and internships. Without that, I would have been working a lot and I probably would not have been able to do most of, if not any, of my internships." -- Cody Garner, recipient 2017-20

 

Read more of Cody's story in "ATSS Foundation support helped Cody Garner reach his dream"

 

 

Tessa Beard

"I've had the scholarship since my first year of college, and it's helped me tremendously. I am very appreciative of it because I had a lot of financial stress on me. I'm very lucky that I have the time to focus on school rather than work." -- Tessa Beard, recipient 2018-23

 

Read more of Tessa's story in "Dad's death spurs daughter's push for work zone safety"

 

 

Lee Timmons

"I think it's great because you get somebody in my situation, where you know it's tough to make ends meet. I think it's a great opportunity to help people that really need it." -- Ricky Timmons, permanently disabled father of Lee Timmons, recipient 2020-22

 

Read more of Lee's story in "Scholarship recipient inherits dad's passion for building bridges"

 

 

Courtney Parsons

"I remember thinking, dang, this is a pretty good scholarship and not many people can apply for it. This could potentially cover my entire year of school, which would be so helpful. I've gotten a few scholarships, but this is definitely my biggest. I'm very grateful." -- Courtney Parsons, recipient 2020-21

 

Read more of Courtney's story in "Humor helps take sting out of father's disability"

 

 

Daniel Hart

"I was very surprised [The Foundation] has a scholarship program to help people like us. This really helps. I think that without it I wouldn't be able to attend the college I chose." -- Daniel Hart, recipient 2020-23

 

Read more of Daniel's story in "Dad's injuries threatened plans to become teacher"

 

 

Emily Hause

"[The scholarship,] it's helpful, extremely helpful. It was really nice to know there was a group out there that honors those who were lost. ... I want to be successful and I know my Dad wants that for me." -- Emily Hause, recipient 2020-22

 

Read more of Emily's story in "Student's dreams live on despite father's death in highway incident"

 

 

Aaron Baker

"I feel lucky to have known exactly what I wanted to do later in life. While it was hard to go through the loss of a parent and lose all of the experiences I would have had with my father, it made me realize I need to be the best person I can be and work hard to reach my goals ... I think The Foundation recognized that and I am extremely grateful." -- Aaron Baker, recipient 2019 and 2022

 

Read more of Aaron's story in "Recipient reflects on impact of The ATSS Foundation"

 

 

Mariela Lara

"I'm very grateful to have received the scholarship provided by The Foundation, as I'm sure the other recipients are. Losing a parent is a very difficult ordeal to go through but it is nice to know there are people out there to support you after going through an experience like that." -- Mariela Lara, recipient 2019-20, 2022-23

 

Read more of Mariela's story in "The strength of family and education"

 

 

Marcie Walker

"The scholarship has done multiple things for me and my family, along with it, helped me grant the opportunity to go to school and help with that funding and pursue a career that I love. I want to be a music teacher. I think the scholarship program and The Foundation in general is a great way to remember and honor fallen roadway workers, like my dad. It ensures these lives are always being remembered and always being cherished and I am forever grateful for that." -- Marcie Walker, recipient 2018-21

 

Marcie Walker spoke during the Ohio ATSSA Chapter meeting on June 5, 2020.

 

 

Andrea Pair

"When I first heard the scholarship program’s slogan of ‘Moving toward zero scholarships,’ I was thrown off because it’s such a great program that helps so many young people, but I realized it’s about working to reach a goal of having zero roadway worker deaths and that is so important. It’s a goal we need to reach. For ATSSA and The Foundation to have that vision means they are working in many ways to help roadway workers and their families." -- Andrea (Pair) Winters, recipient 2014-21

 

Read more of Andrea's story in "Success after loss"

 

 

Erica Pearson

"Being a part of something much bigger than myself was what The Foundation inspired in me. To have so many strangers believe in you, it was transformational. I wanted more of that. I was inspired by what The Foundation stands for." -- Erica (Pearson) Kililikane, recipient 2006 and 2012

 

Read more of Erica's story in "Scholarship recipient looks back on her experiences"

 

 

Caitlyn Rains

"Once I applied and received the scholarship, I was so grateful. I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to pay for college. I always spoke to my dad about going to college so when I received the scholarship, it was just an amazing experience." -- Caitlyn Rains, recipient 2017-18, 2020

 

Read more of Caitlyn's story in "He always pushed me to do better"

 

 

Lyndsay Sutton

"With the scholarship and The Foundation and other scholarships I received, I was able to attend and graduate college without paying a penny. It was definitely 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 and people from The Foundation and the other scholarship programs." -- Lyndsay (Morgan) Sutton, recipient 2014-16

 

Read more of Lyndsay's story in "Scholarship recipient honors father through success"

 

 

Rachael Moser

"The Foundation’s generous support through the Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship reassured me that I could financially attend the Harvard Graduate School of Education to gain foundational knowledge and skills that are critical to expanding my career in the education sector. The scholarship provided me with a profound opportunity to honor my father’s deep commitment to higher education through earning an advanced degree." -- Rachael Moser, recipient 2016

 

Read more of Rachael's story in "Honors father’s commitment to higher education"

 

 

Brionna Lizotte

"While [my father] can’t be here to support me in person, I’ll always know that he’s never truly left me. I believe the scholarship is like ‘pennies from heaven’ and his way of reassuring me he hasn’t left. I’ll be forever grateful to The Foundation for allowing others like myself to be reassured there’s still someone here to look out for us even though the parent no longer is." -- Brionna Lizotte, recipient 2016-19

 

Read more of Brionna's story in "Scholarship is Like ‘Pennies from Heaven’"

 

The American Traffic Safety Services Foundation is a qualified 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Consult your tax advisor regarding specific questions about your deductions. The Foundation’s tax identification number is 62-1384292.


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The American Traffic Safety Services Foundation (The Foundation) works to make zero deaths a reality by offering charitable programs, events, and spreading the word through public awareness. Toward Zero Deaths. Toward Zero Scholarships. Toward Zero Names.

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