Sage Truck Driving Student Strives to Help Keep the World Moving

For Trinton Gipson, the desire to become a truck driver wasn’t a split-second decision. It was an idea he weighed for nearly two years—one that kept resurfacing while he worked retail jobs and searched for a clearer professional direction.

“I was just trying to find myself,” he said. “I knew I wanted something better, something I could build on.”

As he researched different career paths, trucking stood out. It offered Trinton a way to earn a stable living, but he also viewed it as a profession with a massive real-world impact.

“What really caught my interest was how everything in the world operates around truck drivers,” he said. “They kind of make the world go round for stores, farmers… everything. I wanted to be a part of that.”

That realization provided the final push he needed. Now a student at Sage Truck Driving Schools in Jacksonville, Florida, Trinton is training for a career behind the wheel—an effort that recently earned him a $1,000 Howes Truckers of Tomorrow Scholarship. As he works toward his CDL, he is gaining hands-on experience and preparing to enter an industry he sees as essential to the global economy.

Choosing the Right Place to Start

Once he decided to pursue trucking, Trinton visited three different programs in Northern Florida. He ultimately chose Sage in Jacksonville because of the atmosphere he encountered the moment he walked through the door.

“They were the most welcoming,” he said. “The recruiter was really nice and made me feel like that was the place I should go.”

That first impression was vital. For Trinton, starting a new career meant finding a school where he felt supported and comfortable asking questions as a newcomer to the industry. Now several weeks into the program, Trinton says his experience has been smooth and encouraging.

“I’ve been there about three weeks, and I think this week I’m going to start driving,” he said. “So far, I like it a lot.”

He credits much of his progress to instructor Orlando Maymi. “He’s been super helpful,” Trinton said. “He knows a lot about the career and shows us tips and tricks, plus real situations you might run into on the road.”

Winning the Howes Scholarship

While training was underway, Trinton received unexpected news that made his journey even more manageable. With encouragement from Sage Jacksonville School Director Danielle Walton, he applied for the Howes Truckers of Tomorrow Scholarship and was awarded $1,000.

“I wasn’t aware of the scholarship before,” he said. “When I found out I got it, I was really excited. This is the first scholarship I’ve ever received.”

The financial support eased a significant burden, as Trinton had been juggling two jobs while attending school. “It felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders,” he said. “I didn’t have to work as hard just to pay tuition. I was really grateful.”

“We are proud to recognize Trinton 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/HER) succeed as part of the next generation of trucking professionals.”

Looking Toward the Tech Horizon

As Trinton looks to the future, his goal is to gain solid experience before eventually specializing in high-tech freight.

“I see data centers being built, and that’s something I want to be a part of—transporting that technology,” he said. “But first, I just want to get on the road and learn.”

For others considering a similar path, Trinton’s advice is simple: “If it’s something you can see yourself doing, go for it—whether you’re young or older. Follow where your heart leads.”

With his training in motion and a clear sense of purpose, Trinton is well on his way to joining the industry that truly keeps the world moving.