July 21, 2025
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is pleased to announce that high school graduates Madyson Daniels and Trey Johnson will each receive $5,000 toward their college education as the recipients of the Alliance’s college scholarship awards.
The scholarships were awarded to Daniels and Johnson in recognition of their exceptional academic achievements, dedication to community service, focused plans for their futures and demonstrated leadership.
Scholarship award recipients must be the legal dependent of a current CVSA member. College scholarship recipient Madyson Daniels is the daughter of Robert “Joey” Daniels with the California Highway Patrol. She will attend Grand Canyon University and plans to major in communication sciences and disorders (speech pathology). Trey Johnson is the son of Brady Johnson with the Louisiana State Police. He plans to major in biology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
“The CVSA College Scholarship Award Program is the Alliance’s contribution to supporting and empowering the next generation,” said CVSA President Capt. John Hahn with the Colorado State Patrol. “CVSA believes that education is a powerful tool for transforming lives and we hope that our support can help our scholarship recipients achieve their academic and career goals, with access to the education they deserve.”Throughout her high school career, Madyson Daniels has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to academic excellence and extracurricular involvement.
She actively participated in various athletic programs, including volleyball, swimming, tennis and water polo, serving as a co-team captain for the inaugural water polo team in her senior year.
Beyond her athletic pursuits, Daniels was a dedicated leader and an engaged community member. She organized events and volunteered her time at various school functions, such as homecoming week, winter fest and prom. “These events have provided me with the opportunity to bring students together, fostering school spirit and creating a sense of community,” said Daniels.
As an active member of the California Scholarship Federation, Protecting Health and Slamming Tobacco Club, and the National Honor Society, Daniels worked to raise scholarship funds and mentor younger students. Additionally, her involvement in the Ceres Unified School District Youth Advisory Council highlighted her commitment to civic engagement and advocacy.
Furthermore, Daniels volunteered with her county’s Office of Education at family math festivals and community drives, such as food and donation collections for cancer patient care packages. Daniels said: “This experience has deepened my passion for service and fueled my drive to continue supporting others in need.”
Daniels’ accomplishments in Future Farmers of America (FFA) further illustrate her work ethic and dedication, investing hundreds of hours into her projects each year. Her leadership and commitment to agricultural education have earned Daniels the Greenhand Award as a freshman and the prestigious State FFA Degree, the highest degree a state association can bestow upon an individual, signifying significant achievement and involvement in the FFA organization.
“Madyson is a team player with a tremendous amount of dedication,” said Daniels’ high school agriculture instructor Clarissa Farinelli. “She is responsible, has an excellent attitude and has the qualities of a compassionate leader. She has an endless drive to meet perfection in any assignment or project she undertakes.”
Daniels plans to major in speech pathology, inspired by the significant difference speech therapy made in her brother’s life by helping him overcome childhood language issues. “Witnessing his transformation inspired me to pursue a career where I could help others improve their communication skills and lead more fulfilling lives,” said Daniels.
“I’ve always been intrigued by how people interact, how language develops and the barriers individuals may face in communication,” added Daniels. “The field of speech pathology combines my passion for helping others with my curiosity about language and human behavior.”
CVSA’s second scholarship recipient, Trey Johnson plans to major in biology. “I have always been fascinated with nature and animals,” said Johnson. “Once environmental science became a subject in school, I quickly fell in love with the subject matter and realized that this could be something I pursue even further. This led me to realize that working as a wildlife biologist would be my dream job.”
“His passion for the environment is evident in his curiosity, in-depth research and thoughtful contributions to class discussions,” said Johnson’s high school principal Tiffany Etienne.
Johnson’s high school academic career involved an impressive 4.25 GPA. He was also an active member of many clubs and organizations – including Student Council, National Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, FFA and Fellowship of Christian Athletes – and he was his school’s Student of the Year, vice president of the student council and FFA president.
“Trey has held one the highest grade averages of any of my other English students,” said Holter Frye, his English teacher. “Trey is incredibly responsible in his academics. He has excellent study habits and attempts to complete his assignments well ahead of time.”
Johnson was also a student athlete, playing football where he was Rookie of the Year his freshman year and team captain all four years.
Johnson volunteered at his church’s fall fest and the Sunset Herb and Garden Festival, and worked as a summer camp counselor for the Louisiana Family Fitness summer youth program. He also assisted in his school’s annual cleanup day and sang Christmas carols at a local nursing home.
“His desire to succeed academically and professionally shows how deserving Trey is of this opportunity,” Frye added.
Johnson will attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to first pursue a bachelor’s degree and then a Ph.D. in biology with a concentration in evolution, ecology and marine biology. “I will work to protect our wildlife and their habitats, as well as share my findings with other like-minded individuals to truly promote change,” said Johnson.
CVSA will begin accepting next year’s scholarship applications in February 2026.
The CVSA College Scholarship Award Program is dedicated to Gary E. Curtis. While working for the Virginia State Police, Curtis was an active member of CVSA and a cornerstone in the development of the North American Standard Inspection Program. He served as CVSA’s director of technical services in 1992. His efforts and contributions helped form the solid base upon which CVSA now proudly stands. Curtis lost his life to cancer in December 1998.
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