INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. — The Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) has awarded 2025 Educational Fund Scholarships to two students in support of the educational goals of TCATA member company employees and family members.
Eli Regan, son of Mary Castro-Regan, an employee at BPS Communications, earned this year’s Scholastic Scholarship. His strong academic record, leadership qualities, and commitment to higher education earned him the $2,000 annual scholarship, TCATA says. The award is renewable for up to four years.
Outside of academics, Regan is a member and leader of his high school’s FIRST Robotics Competition team and volunteers at a local co-op grocery store and as a volunteer docent at Wings of Freedom aircraft museum. He plans to study mechanical engineering at Purdue University upon graduation.
Felins employee Keegan McKillip is the first-ever recipient of TCATA’s new Vocational Program Scholarship, created to support students pursuing certifications or technical education. He was selected for the $2,000-per-year award, which supports up to two years of trade or vocational school.
McKillip began working at Felins while in high school, manufacturing parts for its Pak-Tyers and Flex-Strap machines, TCATA says. He was later accepted into the Industrial Equipment Apprentice Program.
He plans to continue working with the Felins Service Department while pursuing an associate’s degree in robotics and automation engineering technology at Waukesha County Technical College.
TCATA, which represents laundry and drycleaning industry manufacturers, distributors and related trades, presents scholarships annually. The new Vocational Program award reflects its commitment to support a skilled and diverse workforce in the textile care industry.
“These scholarships are a way for us to invest in the future of our members and their families,” says TCATA Executive Director Luci Ward. “We congratulate Eli and Keegan on their accomplishments and are honored to support their continued education.”
To learn more about TCATA’s scholarship programs, visit www.tcata.org.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].
