AWFS® Awards the First WoodLINKS Scholarship

Furniture World Magazine

The Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS®) has awarded its first WoodLINKS USA college scholarship to Ashley Nichole Hilton, who has successfully completed the WoodLINKS USA certificate program. Hilton will be attending Appalachian State University beginning Fall 2003 and pursuing a degree in Furniture Studies and Business. Hilton is an honors graduate of Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsborough, North Carolina. She placed first in her category at the 2001 AWFS®Fair Student Design Contest and at the 2003 Fair, she captured two First Place awards and the People’s Choice award. Upon graduation, Hilton plans on interning in the industry and hopes to eventually open her own custom furniture business. The scholarship Hilton received is renewable for up to three years with the provision that she maintains full-time status and continued academic standing in a wood-related program. The Association has identified industry education as one of its highest priorities in order to encourage careers in the woodworking and furnishings industries. The scholarship program that encourages WoodLINKS USA graduates to pursue careers in the industry is only one in a series of programs that the Association supports. AWFS® also provides general operating funds to WoodLINKS as well as sponsors the WoodLINKS Teachers’ Forum at both IWF in Atlanta and the AWFS® Fair in Anaheim, to keep educators abreast of industry advancements, news and opportunities. AWFS® sponsors the Student Design Contest in conjunction with the AWFS®Fair, awards several types of scholarships, including the Woodworking Technology Program at Cerritos College, and lists industry-related trade school and college programs on the AWFS® SupplierFinder website. WoodLINKS is a high school and industry supported partnership that creates a curriculum and provides standardized skill testing to train and prepare future employees in the woodworking industry. High School students in WoodLINKS fast-growing program receive a nationally recognized standardized skills certificate upon completion of theprogram. The President of WoodLINKS USA, andmember of the AWFS® Education Committee, Larry Hilchie, is pleased with the support from AWFS® for the WoodLINKS USA program. “The goal of WoodLINKS USA is to create an enticing career path for high school students into ourindustry. The AWFS® Industry Scholarship Program picks up where the WoodLINKS program ends, forging another important link in accomplishing the program’s mission.” The Association of Woodworking and Furnishing Suppliers® (AWFS®) is the largest national trade association in the USA. For more information on the AWFS Industry Scholarship program, call AWFS® at 800-946-AWFS (2937) or log onto www.AWFS.org.