Get to Know the 2016 CETA Scholarship Winners

By Diane M. Calabrese / Published October 2016

Dentists and teachers, business owners and broadcast journalists, geneticists and engineers, the world needs them all and more. Here’s an opportunity to meet just a few of the individuals on their way to filling such roles.

For more than two decades, the CETA Education Foundation has been awarding scholarships to help students meet their professional goals, thereby creating strong ties across generations as well as a stronger world. The Foundation raises money through many different activities, such as a charity auction and golf tournament, and from tax-deductible individual contributions.

The CETA Education Foundation has awarded six scholarships for the 2016–2017 academic year. CETA members, as well as their employees and families, are eligible to compete for scholarships.

Scholarships are awarded to the two top-ranked individuals in each of three eligible member categories: distributor, supplier, and manufacturer. An independent university scholarship professor evaluates (grades) the applications. Neither the CETA Education Foundation nor CETA has any involvement in the evaluation process.

Now, meet the CETA Scholars of 2016–2017 and feel good about the world.

(Each scholar is identified both by the member category and the CETA member company which conferred eligibility to apply.)

Elizabeth Adkins

Distributor, CTS Cleaning Systems Inc.

A broadcast journalism and political science double major at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Elizabeth Adkins also won a scholarship last year. (For last year’s scholarship write-up, visit pubs.royle.com/publication/?i=274333&p=28). “This past year my love for Carolina and my areas of study have only grown,” she says.

Beginning her third year at UNC, Adkins has had so many good experiences it’s difficult to single out a top one, she says. “But I can say that one of the many reasons I love Carolina is because it challenges me inside and outside of the classroom.” 

The entirety of Adkins’ experience is one that buoys her. “I am thankful to attend a university that has a diverse student body where I can learn just as much from my peers as I can from my professors,” she says. 

The stimulating academic experience at university comes from being surrounded by “amazing students” and “esteemed faculty,” says Adkins. She explains that her father and mother always encouraged her to follow her dreams and pushed her “with love and support” to do her best. 

Adkins is actively involved in student government. She serves as vice president of special events on the executive board for the Panhellenic council. She says she not only enjoys her involvement in both groups, but she is also “very passionate” about them. A member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, Adkins sums up her academic experience this way: “I love all things UNC.”

Abigail Dameron

Distributor, Southeast VAL6 Inc.

Awarded a scholarship for the second consecutive year, Abigail Dameron has changed her major since talking with Cleaner Times in 2015. She continues to study at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, but she is now working toward a degree in speech communications: professional communications with a minor in business.

A catalyst for the change in focus was the experience that Dameron had working in her father’s company. When CT spoke with her last year, she was studying family and consumer sciences, but her workplace experience caused her to realize that what most interested her about the former major was the connections she made with people.

“I have a great gift in communicating with others and creating meaningful relationships with them,” explains Dameron. She is now putting that talent to use in her new course of study.

Dameron sees a strong bridge between academic studies and the professional world. She aims to be able to build a strong reputation with business customers, one that is solidified by her expertise and ability to demonstrate willingness to assist. She explains that her father’s approach to business serves as a model, and she hopes to earn a professional reputation “as honorable as the one that my father holds.”

The close ties within the Liberty University community provide a model for living. The university fosters both academic and spiritual growth, encompassing all in its motto: Training Champions for Christ.

Jack Jaros

Supplier, Lease Consultants Corp.

“Intense problem solving associated with engineering and also the endless possibilities in the mechanical realm,” says Jack Jaros, pushed him toward pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. He is studying at Iowa State University in Ames, IA.

Jaros explains that he has a keen interest in working in the field of renewable energy. “My dream is to be able to work in the clean energy sector and one day help society to be powered by clean, renewable energy while maintaining economic sustainability.”

A strong engineering program and numerous internship opportunities attracted Jaros to Iowa State. “I instantly fell in love with the campus and the staff on my first visit,” he says.

Interests beyond academics are many for Jaros. “I am an avid outdoorsman, rodeo athlete, and hockey player,” he says. “My dad and I enjoy fishing and hunting trips to Alaska, Canada, Minnesota, Missouri, and Northwest Iowa.”

Jaros has competed in rodeo for many years as both a team roper and cow cutter in the National High School Rodeo Association. In 2015, he competed in the NHSRA finals and became national champion in the boys’ cutter category.

Colton Farley

Supplier, Farley’s, Inc.

A lifelong resident of Fayetteville, AR, Colton Farley knows well the institution where he commences his college years this fall. “The University of Arkansas has always been the obvious choice for me,” he says.

“For as long as I can remember, Saturdays in the fall have been spent tailgating and watching Razorback football,” says Farley. “I always knew that someday I’d be part of it as a student.”

Like his fellow scholars, Farley tells us how important his scholarship is in helping him to convert aspiration to reality. “I am majoring in poultry science in the Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture.” [Dale Bumpers, the 38th governor of Arkansas (1971–1975), is one of many well-known graduates of UA. He started his studies, interrupted them to serve during World War II, and then returned to graduate before heading to law school.] Farley continues, “I plan on attending dental school after I graduate.” Farley will be able to complete the prerequisites for dental school through the poultry science program.

Molly Lembezeder

Manufacturer, MI-T-M Corporation

A commitment to teaching drives Molly Lembezeder, who has been awarded a scholarship for the second year in a row. She studies at University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA.

Majoring in elementary education, Lembezeder relishes the immersion experiences she has had in her field almost from the beginning of studies. “This past year I spent half a semester visiting a second grade classroom twice a week for three to four hours each visit,” she says.

Lembezeder was not a passive observer. She worked with small groups of advanced learners and also one-on-one with a variety of students who could benefit from the dedicated attention. She also had the opportunity to write, prepare, and teach social studies lessons to the entire class during her last two visits.

“Being a teacher is about more than teaching math facts and vocabulary words,” says Lembezeder. “It’s about showing children their true potential. I’m lucky enough to have a dad who did and continues to do that for me, and I hope to pass that on to each of my students.”

A member of the UNI swim team, Lembezeder has had great success in the pool, success that includes two individual Missouri Valley Conference championships and four relay team conference championships. She explains she owes her success to “training partners and coaches who have pushed” her over the years. “My favorite part of participating in collegiate athletics is still the people it brings into my life.”

Elle Hoffman

Manufacturer, MI-T-M Corporation

A biology major at Loras College in Dubuque, IA, Elle Hoffman speaks fondly of her academic setting. “Loras is a small, quaint college close to home,” she says. “It is a beautiful campus filled with professors who go above and beyond the call of duty to help me succeed.” Hoffman explains that her college is “astounding academically” and a “tight-knit community” that is filled with wonderful people. After she earns her bachelor’s degree, she plans to go on to graduate school.

“I intend to become a geneticist where I can focus on the production of crops and livestock,” says Hoffman.

She explains that having been involved in the agricultural industry from an early age, she will have real-life experience to bring to her profession.

A presentation Hoffman did on world hunger for an ethics class in high school was a powerful motivator for her choice of study. “My research really struck a chord with me, when I realized that millions struggle to put food on the table daily,” she explains. “That high school project, coupled with the agriculture courses that I took throughout high school, truly inspired me to want to devote my career to helping others be able to provide for themselves as well as develop sustainable agriculture.”