ITA Educational Foundation

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR STUDENT INTERNSHIPS & FOUNDERS' SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

The International Textile Alliance (ITA) Educational Foundation is accepting applications for internship and scholarship programs providing more than $25,000 in support to students looking to enter the textile industry. ITA member companies sponsoring the scholarships and internships include Crypton, Hamilton Fabrics, P/Kaufmann, Springs Creative and Regal Fabrics.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM RECRUITS YOUNG TALENT

With a goal to discover and recruit young talent for all areas of the textile industry, ITA offers 12 internship programs per year designed to let students see and experience a variety of industry-related careers first-hand. Led by the ITA Educational Foundation, the internship program pairs up to 12 students with ITA member company sponsors.

ITA will provide up to $24,000 this year in intern support. Intern sponsorships are open to member companies, and ITA will cover up to $1,000 for intern salary and $1,000 for housing/travel expenses. For those interested in having an intern, contact Carrie Dillon, managing director of the ITA at 336.885.6842, or carrie@internationaltextilealliance.org. ITA can assist in finding interns for member companies.

The internships can have a life-changing and enriching impact on students like Emily Reppert, a former ITA intern who now works at Regal Fabrics. “I am very fortunate to have a textile design job at the place I want to be, workwise and geographically speaking! One of the big reasons I am at Regal Fabrics now is because of the internship opportunity I had with them through ITA. I can attest to the power of the internship program.”

FOUNDERS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JUNE 30

The ITA Founders’ Scholarship is an annual scholarship set up as a benefit for members and their children, as well as children of parents who are employed by an ITA member. The scholarship recipient receives $2,500 on the first and second year of the winner’s education. Scholarship Criteria Includes:

• Must have plans to pursue a career in the textile industry

• Must be the child of an employee of an ITA Member Company

• Must be a high school senior entering college

• Minimum of a 3.5 GPA

• Three letters of recommendation

• List their extracurricular activities and awards

• Write an essay stating their educational objectives and how it relates to their planned career

The application deadline is June 30, and a Founders Scholarship Application form is available on the ITA website by scanning the QR code to the right.

The Founders’ Scholarship was established in 2015 by the ITA Board of Directors along with the Educational Foundation to further the organization’s commitment to education and the future of the industry. This scholarship was created to honor our Founding ITA Board of Directors and Members.

The founding ITA Board of Director members were: Pete Thompson Terry Baxter Tom Muzekari Tom Forrester Lee Kabat Fran Luedtke

Founding ITA Member Companies: American Silk Mills Covington Fabric & Design, LLC David Rothschild Co., Inc. J.B. Martin Co., Inc. P. Kaufmann Fabrics Richloom Fabrics Group Valdese Weavers, Inc.

COVER COMPETITION WINNER

2021 SPRING WINNER Julia Urrea, University of Georgia

The inspiration for my print comes from the idea of tassels. While sometimes considered to be a small detail, tassels have the power to spruce up any home furnishing (pillows, blankets, curtains, chairs, etc.). What fascinates me most about tassels, however, is the large quantity of individual threads it takes to create such a unique texture along with the physical explosion that comes from it. That is what I wanted to emphasize in my design: a soft and comforting firework.

THANK YOU TO...

Crypton, Hamilton Fabrics, Springs Creative, P/Kaufmann, and Regal Fabrics for Their Generous Support whose contributions support ITA Educational Foundation’s commitment to the growth of the textile industry through education, scholarship and career development initiatives.

A key focus of ITA, its Educational Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the future of the textile industries through the nurturing and promotion of education, scholarship, and career development initiatives. The foundation relies on the support and financial generosity of ITA members and industry leaders to fund these efforts. To make a donation to the foundation, contact the ITA office at 336-885-6842 or info@internationaltextilealliance.org.

COMMITTEE CHAIR Kelly DiFoggio, Stein Fibers COMMITTEE MEMBERS Jack Eger, Crypton | Terrell Gary, P. Kaufmann | John Kearns, Hamilton Fabric Sales Katherine Shoaf, Radiate Textiles | Katie Atwater Williams, De Leo Textiles | Wesley Mancini, Wesley Mancini, Ltd.