Florida Student Sets His Sights High with Howes Scholarship

For Terry McLendon, truck driving isn’t a brand-new world—it’s the next logical step for him professionally. The 30-year-old from Florida had been working as a pilot escort, guiding oversized and over-dimensional loads down highways. Day after day, he followed trucks and saw firsthand the opportunities that came with being behind the wheel.

“I was escorting oversized loads, doing everything they were doing, and I thought, ‘I might as well just go the extra mile and get my CDL,’” Terry said.

Three weeks into his program at Sage Truck Driving Schools’ Jacksonville campus, he’s glad he made the leap. “It’s going great. What I like is that it’s a small class. You get a lot of one-on-one time with the teachers. It’s all hands-on training, no simulators. You’re actually in the truck,” he said.

That level of attention and support has kept him motivated. “When instructors came down from other campuses, they even let me sit in and watch two professionals quiz each other. I thought that was really cool,” Terry said.

Trucking also runs in the family. His father has been a driver for more than 30 years. Having grown up around the industry, Terry felt ready to take the next step in his own career. “I’m pretty maxed out where I’m at now. Getting my CDL means I can keep climbing,” he explained.

“Terry exemplifies what it means to be dedicated and driven. He consistently demonstrates strong knowledge and passion for the industry.” said Danielle Walton, Sage School Director.  “He maintains a positive attitude, and shows a genuine willingness to support his peers, especially those who struggle more than others. His commitment and character make him a truly deserving recipient of this scholarship. I speak on behalf of everyone at Sage Jacksonville when I say we are very proud of his accomplishments thus far and have no doubt he will excel in this career.”Terry already has a plan for the road ahead. “The first year, I’m going to go over the road just to get the experience on my resume,” he said. “After that, I want to get into oversized and over-dimensional loads. I already know a lot of people in the field, and it just feels right for me.”

Recently, Terry was selected as a recipient of the Howes Truckers of Tomorrow Scholarship, which provides $1,000 to Sage students across the country. Since 2015, Howes Products and Sage have awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to help future drivers launch their careers.

“I’m thankful to Howes. Thank you for the opportunity,” he said. “It’s helping me more than you know. It takes a lot of stress off my hands.”

His instructors at Sage say his focus and drive have been clear from the start.

“We are proud to recognize Terry as a recipient of the Howes Truckers of Tomorrow Scholarship,” said Rob Howes II, President of Howes Products. “His excitement and commitment to pursuing a career in trucking embodies the very spirit of this program and we look forward to seeing him succeed as part of the next generation of trucking professionals.”

For Terry, the scholarship and the training at Sage represent more than just a career move—they’re an investment in himself. “This is about building my future,” he said. “And I’m ready for it.”