NASCAR driver and athletic clothes company dispense scholarships

In addition to new uniforms and other athletic accessories for the school's wrestling team, a total of $11,000 worth of grants for education were provided to students in Bakersfield, California, in a joint effort between NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick and the clothing company TapouT, according to the Warner Robins Patriot.

The North High School students who were awarded the financial aid for college did so by winning an essay contest based on overcoming adversity in everyday life. The grand prize winner was given $5,000 toward future financial planning for college, while three other essays were deemed worthy of $2,000 scholarships for college through the Kevin Harvick Fund. In addition to an impressive essay, scholarship-winning students needed to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 and be on their way to a four year undergraduate program.

"Wrestlers are as disciplined as athletes come, but these scholarship winners are equally disciplined in their academics," said NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick, according to a report from the Warner Robins Patriot. "I can’t thank TapouT enough for helping the Kevin Harvick Foundation extend a helping hand."

The news source explains that Harvick graduated North High in 1994, and has also donated money to help fix up the school's wrestling room.

More NASCAR-related scholarships
Although perhaps not everyone would immediately associate NASCAR, or any professional car racing organization, with money for college, NASCAR and UPS worked together to establish the Wendell Scott Scholarship Program and the University of Central Florida DeVos School of Management Scholarship. These two programs provide financial aid for college to black or Latino scholars focusing on areas associated with motorsports. As far as fields it considers associated with motorsports, NASCAR's website states it casts a wide net. Acceptable fields of study include marketing, engineering and public relations.

"We are continually seeking ways to further engage students as fans and as future employees of the sport," said NASCAR'S vice president of public affairs and multicultural development, Marcus Jadotte. "The goal is to create permanent employment prospects for diverse college students entering the workforce through viable, real-world opportunities."

Be Sociable, Share!

•