Firebird Bulk Carriers and R.B. Stewart Petroleum Products family members are among the 32 winners of Texas Trucking Association (TXTA) Foundation academic scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year.
Justyn Thorton (Firebird), who’s a University of Texas at San Antonio enrollee, earned the Mike Craddock Memorial Scholarship, a four-year scholarship awarded to the top freshman recipient; and Madison Richardson (R.B. Stewart), a University of Houston enrollee, also collected an academic scholarship.
The trucking foundation this year distributed $151,500 in academic scholarship money and $35,000 for 10 trade and technical applicants pursuing trucking careers—all to students affiliated with TXTA member companies. TXTA has awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarship funds since 1991.
“After decades of awarding students with scholarships from the foundation, I am excited to continue this legacy for the next generation,” Brandon Woods, TXTA Foundation chairman, said in a news release. “The Foundation takes great pride in giving back to families who have kept this country moving forward and to individuals who are establishing roots in the transportation industry.”
The 2025–2026 scholarship period will open in December 2024. Trade and technical scholarships are available year-round.
The recently announced scholarship recipients are:
Top TXTA Foundation academic scholarship recipients
- Mike Craddock Memorial Scholarship (Four-year scholarship awarded to the top freshman recipient): Justyn Thorton, Firebird Bulk Carriers, University of Texas at San Antonio
- Stoney Reese Stubbs Memorial Scholarship (Awarded to the top Texas A&M at College Station recipient): Kristin Smith, Atmos Energy, Texas A&M University at College Station
- Ed Kyrish Memorial Scholarship (Awarded to top The University of Texas at Austin Recipient): Allison Andrade, PortServe Transportation, The University of Texas at Austin
- Rex & Marillyn King Foundation Scholarship (Awarded to a top recipient): Nicole Loy, USI Southwest, University of North Texas
Trade and technical scholarship recipients
- Mehki Course, diesel technician student, Lincoln Tech
- Jaime Galan, CDL candidate, C.R. England Premier Truck Driving School
- Brandon Garcia, CDL candidate, EP Texas Trucking School
- Daniel George, heavy truck technician student, St. Phillip's College
- David Liaw, CDL candidate, ACE Trucking Academy
- Edbrion McAllister, CDL candidate, Driving Academy 160
- Cristian Olivieri, diesel heavy technology, Pennsylvania College of Technology
- Alexander Pena, CDL candidate, Del Mar College
- Emily Ring, welding/engines student, Wyo Tech
- Manuel Saenz, CDL candidate, EP Texas Trucking School
Academic scholarship recipients
- Chase Alford, Apache Oil Company, The University of Texas at Dallas
- Alvin Andrade, PortServ Transportation, Texas A&M University at College Station
- Breezy Bishop, Lone Star Truck Group/TAG Truck Center, Texas State University
- Brooke Bilby, Huntington National Bank-Equipment Finance, Texas A&M University at Commerce
- Wiley Bilby, Huntington National Bank-Equipment Finance, Weatherford College
- Alyssa Brade, Texas Moving Company, University of Mary Hardin Baylor
- Cyenna Cheatham-Deleon, Double Diamond Transport, Sam Houston State University
- Randi Childress, Refrigerated Transport, Tarleton State University
- Sergio Cruz Ovalle, Kyrish International Truck Center, Texas A&M at College Station
- Taylor Davidson, Atmos Energy, Northeast Texas Community College
- Harlee DePoyster, Housley Group, West Texas A&M University
- Zachary Graf, Lonestar Specialty Vehicle, University of Arkansas
- Madison Harper, Cummins Sales & Service, University of Arkansas
- AnaClaire Henderson, Housley Group, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Kyle Komro, Canopius, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Charli Maddox, Select Transportation, Texas A&M University at College Station
- Elainna Mosley, Select Transportation Resources, Lamar University
- Analysa Munoz, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Texas A&M University at Kingsville
- Madison Richardson, R.B. Stewart Petroleum Products, University of Houston
- Sarai Rocha, Southwestern Motor Transport, Texas Tech University
- Victoria Rodriguez, W&B Service Company & Superior Trailer Sales, Texas A&M International University
- Michala Scarborough, Lone Star Truck Group/TAG Truck Center, University of Arkansas
- Hunter Schulz, BWI Companies, Angelo State University
- Pamela Serensits, GenOx Transportation, University of Missouri
- Lyzzi Stanton, TNT Crane & Rigging, Lamar State College-Orange
- Kimberly Torres, LeeTrans, Stephen F. Austin State University
- Natalie Zarate, Acme Truck Line, The University of Texas at Tyler