Live Like Lash Scholarship

Live Like Lash Scholarship

Honoring the legacy of Lash Lacoste

About the Scholarship

Lash Lacoste passed away in 2022 after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma. He was deeply loved and was a vital part of the Toyota Land Cruiser Association community, serving on the Board of Directors for CottonLand Cruisers. Thanks to the generous support of TLCA chapters and members, this scholarship fund was established in his honor to support the next generation of TLCA.

The scholarship established in Lash Lacoste’s name is unique. Lash wasn’t a straight A student. He earned mostly Bs and Cs in high school and college. Many scholarships focus on top academic performers, leaving fewer opportunities for students who don’t fit that mold. This scholarship is intended for students with a B or C average who, above all, demonstrate the same character and qualities that defined Lash’s life.

These qualities are:

  • Humility
  • Kindness to all
  • Positive outlook
  • Patience
  • Not easily angered
  • Smiling and laughing all the time
  • Genuinely care for others and be involved in the community
  • Do more than asked
  • Give more than given
  • Think before speaking
  • Listen more than talking
  • Protect family
  • Love fiercely
Lash Lacoste

Lash Lacoste

Scholarship Awards

TLCA will award scholarships annually. Current members, children, and grandchildren of TLCA members are eligible to apply. The Live Like Lash award can be used for the following purposes only:

  • College or university
  • Technical or trade school
  • Certification programs
  • Other educational experiences that support growth or career development

The winners will be chosen by an appointed committee of TLCA members and the family of Lash Lacoste.

Applications open in February and are due May 1 each year. Funds are distributed in July-August of each year for the upcoming school year.

Live Like Lash Scholarship FAQ’s

The Live Like Lash Scholarship application opens in early February each year.

Live Live Lash scholarship applications close on May 1 of each year.

We’re not looking for a perfectly written essay. We want to hear your authentic voice. This application is your chance to share who you are, what you’ve experienced, and how you see the world. Using AI tools takes away from that. Please make sure your responses are your own, written in your words and from your perspective.

It’s okay to ask someone you trust to review your application and offer feedback, especially for things like spelling or grammar. However, the ideas, stories, and writing should still come from you. We want to hear your voice and learn about your experiences in your own words.

No, we are not expecting perfection. What matters most is your voice, your story, and your honesty. Lash would not have been concerned about a few spelling or grammar mistakes. He cared more about people being real and sincere. That said, take your time and aim for clear, respectful writing. This is not a text to a friend. For example, write “John Smith,” not “john smith.” A few small mistakes are okay, but make an effort to present your ideas thoughtfully.

Current TLCA members, as well as their children and grandchildren are eligible to apply. Applicants should be between the ages of 15 – 26. You will be asked to provide the TLCA member’s name and membership number on the application, so be sure to get this information in advance.

The scholarship amount is typically $2,500. However, TLCA reserves the right to award a higher or lower amount depending on available funds, the number of recipients, and other factors determined by the selection committee.

A committee made up of TLCA members and members of Lash’s family reviews each application. We look for honesty, character, and how well your story reflects the spirit of the scholarship.

We will notify all applicants via email by mid-June of each year. Be sure to check your email regularly around that time.

To keep the process fair, we remove all identifying information from each application before it is reviewed. Applicants are assigned a number, and names and photos are not shared with the selection committee.

If selected, scholarship funds are typically sent directly to your school or program.

No. You do not need to be enrolled in college to apply. We welcome applications from individuals pursuing a variety of educational and personal growth paths, including trade schools, certifications, or other meaningful education.

Yes, previous applicants and recipients are welcome to apply again, as long as they still meet the eligibility requirements. Lash believed in giving people chances to grow and try again, so we encourage you to reapply if this scholarship aligns with your goals.

In most cases, the award is intended to support your education or personal development goals, including tuition, supplies, or related expenses. If you have a unique situation, let us know.

Yes. We recommend that you review all of the questions first, then write your answers in a separate document so you can take your time and save your work. Once you’re happy with your responses, you can copy and paste them into the application form. This helps prevent losing your work if something goes wrong during submission.

Yes. You will be asked to upload a photo as part of your application, so please have one ready. It does not need to be formal; just choose something that represents you. Many recipients share a picture with their Toyota 4×4 or doing a favorite hobby. We accept JPG or PNG files. If you are selected, your photo will be printed in Toyota Trails, so please choose a clear, high-quality image that is at least 1 MB in size.