A major part of Thursday night’s Difference Makers event at the Black River Coliseum was the award of the Ronnie Ezell Memorial Scholarship from the Three Rivers College Foundation to Puxico native Lawson McLeary, 18.
Ezell was fatally injured during the March 14 tornado and the scholarship was established in his memory.
TRC Foundation member Steve Bubanovich was on hand with Executive Director Tracy Barber to present the $1,000 check to McLeary.
Bubanovich described Ezell as, “A neat guy, known for his hard work and strong character. Qualities we see reflected in this young man today.”
Bubanovich said McLeary went through TRC’s CDL program and recently passed his licensing test. McLeary made a bet with friends that if he didn’t pass the test the first time, he’d shave his head, but McLeary appeared Thursday evening with a full head of hair, a testament to his passing the test the first time, Bubanovich said.
McLeary said that while he was in high school, his counselor approached him with information regarding a CDL program at Three Rivers that is grant-funded. He said a CDL license is something he would love to have.
“As a kid, I always loved trucks,” he said.
Based on the grant, he only had to pay $1.25 out of pocket.
“It isn’t just a free license, it is something I want to do and it would benefit me a lot,” he said.
He added that he was dedicated to the five-week program and, at the end, was able to pass his licensing test on the first attempt.
He recently picked up an application at a local business, with the hope of driving a day-cab semi hauling fertilizer. Eventually, he would like to do some over-the-road (long-haul) driving.
“I do think it (long-haul) would be a good way to travel and see the country,” he said.
McLeary said his long-term goal is to have a career in law enforcement. He said he plans to use the $1,000 check at Three Rivers to get a criminal justice degree.
He is still considering whether he would like to work for the Missouri State Police, a local sheriff’s office, or as a game warden, but for now, he plans to drive a truck until he can achieve his degree and a career in law enforcement.
