The Portable Sanitation Association International is proud to announce the recipients of its 2023 association’s annual scholarship awards.
These students demonstrated excellence in academic achievement and extracurricular activities. They also submitted essays elaborating on the importance of public perception of the portable sanitation industry. It is always a joy to see how the industry has influenced the next generation and how they are becoming advocates of the essential services portable sanitation provides.
Recipients are listed with the portable sanitation company they are associated with, their parent or guardian, and a excerpt from their essays:
Layne Campbell, KPD Porta Johns, Travis Campbell
“Portable sanitation should be respected for a variety of reasons: the ability to put on events both large and small, the need for clean and accessible facilities in the face of natural disasters, and the absolute necessity of the construction industry. … Talk to someone who has had to go through a natural disaster, or talk to the homeless man on the street who doesn’t have anywhere else to use the restroom. What may seem at first to be an annoyance is actually something that millions of people rely on every single year.”
Chloe Drake, Luxury Restroom Trailers, Jennifer Drake
“Using words like ‘portable restroom’ and staying clear of derogatory terms can make you sound more professional as well as lift the negative image. … To elevate the image of portable sanitation as a respected and necessary service, it’s imperative that we speak highly of our work and most importantly, strive to have clean, odor-free, well-maintained equipment.”
Quiana Quam, On Site Sanitation, Candace Quam
“The proper handling of feces ensures that microorganisms won’t enter the waterways and affect the environment. Having portable sanitation helps support environmental sustainability. … Portable sanitation units are essential to help prevent our natural resources from being destroyed and contaminated.”
Ryan Root, Luxury Restroom Trailers, Kjell Root
“More recently the public eye has turned towards portable sanitation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitals, stores and other businesses which were essential to remain open for the public during the pandemic turned to portable sanitation to keep their employees and customers safe. … It became apparent to many people during the pandemic just how important the industry is, and what it actually does.”
Patrick Sullivan, United Site Services, Brian Sullivan
“To elevate the image of portable sanitation, the industry needs to focus on education and awareness. This can be achieved through outreach and marketing efforts that highlight the importance of portable toilets in maintaining health and hygiene. … Portable sanitation helps prevent disease, provides a necessary service, protects the environment and so much more. The work has already been done. Now it is time to get the word out.”
Amy Borsuk, WEB OutBack, Glenn Borsuk
“Not only do the newer models have sanitation stations, but also odor control mechanisms. These odor control mechanisms help relieve some of the smell of the waste in between the cleaning services. No one should have to worry about the cleanliness of portable restrooms because they are more advanced than they were before.”
About the Program. The PSAI Scholarship Program was established 26 years ago. Since then, PSAI has awarded $432,500 to 130 students. Education continues to be a core value of the association, and while most people think of our industry-specific training and certification, the PSAI Scholarship Program is one more way we encourage further education for our PRO community.
Any employee, or employee’s child or spouse, of a PSAI Member company is eligible to apply. PSAI Scholarships may be applied to undergraduate or vocational schools for either full- or part-time employees. Recently, the PSAI Scholarship became eligible for most
international education institutions as well. This is just one way PSAI is working to increase benefits and equity to our international community.
A Gift to Support the Past & Future. Historically, the PSAI Scholarship Fund has remained strong through generous donations of companies and individuals. But today, PSAI is excited to announce a new and simple way you can contribute to the fund.
PSAI past president and industry historian, Jeff Wigley, recently collected and compiled 50 years of industry history including over 70 interviews with some of the greatest pioneers, achievers and influencers in portable sanitation. What started as a simple compilation quickly turned into a 200-page book, complete with incredible photos, stories and archival records that we’ve named, PSAI Through the Decades: A History of Portable Sanitation.
When you purchase a copy, all net proceeds go directly to the PSAI Scholarship Fund. In this way, you are helping to honor the history and the future of this incredible industry. PSAI Through the Decades makes a wonderful gift for a PRO in your life, or for your own book collection!
