Cypress, CA (9/13/2012)
-Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is now
accepting applications
for the 2012-2013 scholarship program that provides financial assistance to
members of the
National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT). ACT is a national
college student
association with more than 350 members located on 17 college and university
campuses across
the country. ACT's mission of fostering professional development is at the
core of the Yamaha-
ACT Scholarship Program, now in its fifth year.
The Yamaha-ACT Scholarship Program is broken out into two individual
student scholarships and
one chapter scholarship. All three awards are aimed at helping students
attend the annual
Agricultural Media Summit (AMS), which is the largest gathering of ag media
professionals in the
country and is the ACT students' primary career development networking
opportunity each year.
The conference is hosted by the American Agricultural Editors' Association
(AAEA), the Livestock
Publications Council (LPC) and the American Business Media Agri-Council -
potentially future
employers and colleagues of the students.
"Yamaha congratulates the past winners of these scholarships, and looks
forward to working
with more students in the coming year," said Steve Nessl, Yamaha's ATV/SxS
marketing manager.
"Yamaha's goals for this program are to support ag students while spreading
the message of
safe, responsible use of farm equipment - particularly ATV and Side-by-Side
vehicles."
For the 2012-2013 program, the Illini Agricultural Communicators of
Tomorrow (ACT) Chapter at
University of Illinois received the chapter award, while Danielle Smith of
University of Arkansas
and Bailey Toates of Oklahoma State University earned individual
scholarships.
"We were very excited to be honored with the Yamaha Chapter Award. It's a
great opportunity
for our students to learn more about farm safety while using their
communications skills to
develop engaging articles, advertisements, and more," said Jennifer Shike,
Illini ACT advisor. "Not
only did Yamaha support our students' professional development
opportunities this year, but we
were privileged to take part in a top-notch photography workshop as part of
our Yamaha award
experience. It's a testimony to Yamaha's commitment to helping the future
of agriculture."
"I learned a lot at AMS this year and made so many great connections with
potential employers,
and none of it would have been possible without Yamaha's support," Danielle
Smith said.
"Events like AMS can be expensive for students to attend, but the
scholarship that Yamaha
provides gives students the means to be able to attend this outstanding
event. I strongly
encourage students to find a way to attend AMS, and applying for this
scholarship is a great way
to do so."
"I am very thankful for the opportunity Yamaha has provided me, and honored
to be a recipient
of this incredible award," said Bailey Toates. "Ag Media Summit was an
incredible experience
and provided numerous learning opportunities."
Applications are judged based on merit, need and quality of submission
materials by a review
committee consisting of Yamaha representatives and members of the AAEA and
the LPC. The
2012-2013 application process will run through the end of March 2013 and
winners will be
announced in late April. More information and guidelines, along with the
application form, will
be posted online at www.nactnow.org.
About Yamaha Motor
Corp., U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., (YMUS), is
a leader in the motorsports market. The company’s
ever-expanding product offerings includes ATVs
and Side-by-Side vehicle, motorcycles, outboard
motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, boats,
outdoor power equipment, race kart engines,
accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products
are sold through a nationwide network of dealers
in the United States.
Headquartered in Cypress,
Calif., since its incorporation in 1976, Yamaha
also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia,
as well as factory operations in Tennessee and
Georgia. For more information on Yamaha, visit
www.yamaha-motor.com.
