FINDLAY, Ohio—Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has selected Kaleb Manley, the 18-year-old son of Larry Manley, control room operator at Cooper's Texarkana, Ark., plant, and his wife Alici, to receive the company's Roy V. Armes Scholarship, worth $5,000.
Five other high school seniors were awarded Centennial Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each.
The Armes Scholarship was established in 2016 to honor the man who served as Cooper's chairman, CEO and president for nearly a decade.
The fund was created in recognition of Armes' contributions and achievements. The scholarship rewards high-achieving students who will attend a four-year institution of higher learning to pursue careers in business or engineering and is given to a child of a Cooper employee in the U.S.
Manley, a graduate of Arkansas High School in Texarkana, is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Arkansas. He 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.
Manley won a letter in soccer and also played football. He has served as a volunteer for the Special Olympics and was a delegate to Arkansas Boys State.
The Cooper Centennial Scholarship, in its fifth year, 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 planning to pursue degrees at a college, university or technical school.
This year's recipients are:
- Benjamin Howard, 18-year-old son of Marybeth Howard, a fleet services senior specialist at Cooper's Findlay headquarters, and her husband Doug.
Howard is a graduate of Findlay High School in Findlay and intends to study biochemistry/pre-dentistry at Ohio State University. He was a four-year member of the basketball and baseball teams, serving as captain in both. He also participated in soccer and was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Athletic Leadership Team.
Howard 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 several youth basketball and baseball camps.
- Madelin Kreinbrink, 18-year-old daughter of Rod Kreinbrink, manufacturing reliability director at Cooper's Findlay headquarters, and his wife Heather.
Kreinbrink is a graduate of Findlay High School, ranking first in her class. She intends to study nursing at Ohio State University. She 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.
Kreinbrink was a member of Teen Leadership Corps, the National Honor Society, Junior Statesmen of America and served as a delegate to Buckeye Girls State.
- Alyssa Smith, 18-year-old daughter of Jeff Smith, tire inspector at Cooper's Texarkana plant, and his wife Rhonda.
Smith is a graduate of Arkansas High School in Texarkana, where she was valedictorian. She intends to pursue a degree in engineering at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Smith 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 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, 18-year-old daughter of David Swails, millwright at Cooper's Findlay plant, and his wife Lisa.
Swails is a graduate of Arlington High School in Arlington, Ohio, who intends to pursue a degree in environmental safety and occupational health at the University of Findlay. She was a four-year member of the Arlington All-Brass Band and Future Farmers of America and participated in numerous school plays and musicals.
Swails 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.
- Jacob Tacket, 18-year-old son of Chad and Tracy Tackett. The elder Tacket is the mold shop supervisor for Cooper's Findlay plant and Tackett works as a graphic designer at Cooper's Findlay headquarters.
The younger Tacket is a graduate of Riverdale High School in Mount Blanchard, Ohio, who intends to study engineering technology at Owens Community College. He 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.
Tacket was an active member of Boy Scouts of America.
"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," Cooper President and CEO Brad Hughes said.
"I congratulate these exceptional students and their families, and wish them the best as they pursue continued education toward their career goals."
The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, an independent philanthropic agency, administers the Cooper's scholarship program 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 selects the winners. There were 40 qualifying applicants nationwide.