By Tim Ryan
The Rotary Club of Newport News recently awarded a scholarship to an aspiring student, Tyrea Edwards, for his dedication and passion in pursuing a career in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) field. Tyrea, originally from Jamaica, moved to the USA at 14 and has since been determined to push himself, excel in his studies, and make a difference in his community.
Tyrea’s story is one of resilience and ambition as he navigates his way through the challenges of adapting to a new country and culture while pursuing a career in a field that he is passionate about. The scholarship will support Tyrea’s educational journey at the Virginia Technical Academy (VTA), a trade school known for its hands-on, performance-based training in trades such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, building property maintenance, and appliance repair.
David Gillespie, the founder of VTA, has created an environment that fosters strong trades through industry-leading education and community engagement. As Tyrea embarks on his journey with VTA, he plans to seize every opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge needed to launch a successful career in the HVAC field and even dreams of starting his own HVAC company in the future.
The Rotary Club of Newport News believes in investing in the community’s future by supporting students like Tyrea, who share the club’s values of service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. We are excited to play a role in Tyrea’s education and look forward to seeing him achieve his goals and positively impact the community and beyond.
In line with our commitment to community engagement, the scholarship was awarded on the condition that Tyrea attends at least one Rotary lunch meeting to share his journey and progress with club members. During a recent meeting, Mayor Phillip Jones of Newport News even stopped by to congratulate Tyrea on his scholarship and commend his dedication to pursuing his dreams. We are excited to hear about Tyrea’s experiences and accomplishments in the coming months.
