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Mary Kooiker, Wayland, MI
TCA Scholarship ($2,000)
E. W. Wylie

Some of my earliest memories take place in the seat of a big rig. My Dad worked in white collar positions in the trucking industry for all of my growing up years. I can remember proudly sitting next to my dad as he would test drive rigs for the various companies that he had worked for. As I got older I vowed never to work in the transportation industry because of the amount of time that it took my dad away from home. Many years have passed since that sad time and I have since, married a man who drives flatbead, I have contracted in the household moving industry and was very successful at my carreer, and my brother owns a truck company! This industry has become a blessing in my life. I have had financial gain, pride and ownership in every aspect of it. I have made life long friendships in the industry and have been able to bless others with work and income as a result of it. I also stand by the claim that, "Once it gets in your blood you always return to it." The trucking industry, and my husband's roll in it , has also been a part of the reason that we are wanting to open a youth home for trafficked children. Our society wants to look the other way when it comes to this type of monstrosity. A trucker can't. I am so blessed to have a husband who speaks out against trafficking (esp. in truck stops!) and so eloquently stated and I quote, "God created men to be protectors not predators." I don't see this industry as "just a job" any longer, I see it as a lifestyle that I am proud to be a part of.