Kayla Horrocks, office assistant of Idaho Water Sports in Burley, Idaho, and full-time student at Boise State University, has been selected as the recipient of the second annual MRAA Marine Industry College Scholarship, announced the MRAA Educational Foundation.
The scholarship was presented to Horrocks on Sunday evening, Dec. 10, during the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
Recommended by college personnel as a person of high integrity and professionalism, Horrocks is actively involved in community service events, including Project Rudolph and the annual Cinco De Mayo Festival.
In addition, Horrocks has a busy schedule as a full-time employee and full-time student who is putting herself through school. However, she makes sure to find time to enjoy her newly found passion for watersports.
The Marine Industry College Scholarship is made possible by the generosity of Priority One Financial Services, the Boater Rewards Association and the MRAA Educational Foundation. It offers Retail Members of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, their employees, and their dependents the opportunity to apply for a $5,000 college scholarship to financially assist in the training and education of those working in or planning for a career in the marine industry.
For applicants to be considered for the scholarship, they must display a passion for the boating lifestyle, be preparing for or currently engaged in a career in the recreational
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boating business, and show evidence of enrollment in an accredited college, university or post-secondary technical school program.
In her scholarship application, Horrocks shared how much she enjoys her work, where no two days are the same, and how proud she is to be the first person in her family to attend college. She wrote, “It is so empowering to grow and become someone I have always dreamt of. Winning this award would be such a blessing for me.”
“It’s nice to see someone new to boating immerse themselves so fully into the boating lifestyle,” said Jeff Siems, president of the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors. “We believe awarding Kayla this scholarship will further fuel her passion for the industry, and that passion will transfer to those around her.”
About the MRAA Educational Foundation
As part of its mission to create a strong and healthy boating industry, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is committed to offering training, education and professional development opportunities to its members and the entire marine dealer community. In 2004, the association launched the MRAA Educational Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 corporation, to provide financial support for education, training and professional development in the recreational marine trades. Learn more at www.mraa.com/foundation.
About Priority One Financial Services
Priority One has been serving the marine and RV industry since 1987. Acquired in 2007 by Forest River, Inc. a Berkshire Hathaway company, Priority One serves as the F&I managed services provider for hundreds of dealers nationwide. For more information, visit www.P1FS.com.
About the Boater Rewards Association
The mission of the Boater Rewards Association, started in 2015, is to provide boaters with resources, and information to enhance their boating experience. Boater Rewards was started by a group of leading marine insurance professionals, a boating safety association, several avid boaters, and a young entrepreneur, all looking for ways to make boating easier, safer and more fun. Boater Rewards is dedicated to connecting boat and yacht owners to local and national resources that help them get the most out of their time on the water. Relationships with vendors, dealers and marinas allows the association to provide a one-stop shop for insurance and industry-leading perks, including educational resources and discounts on products. For more information, email info@boaterrewards.com