This marks the fifth year in a row that the program has been its most successful to date, nearly doubling the record set in 2021
Bethesda, Md.—Women in Auto Care, a community of the Auto Care Association, saw another record year for its scholarship program, distributing 96 awards worth $300,000 in both cash scholarships and starter tool sets, to female students across the United States looking to have a career in the auto care industry.
The success of this year’s program was supported by the generosity of Women in Auto Care community sponsors and member donations, as well as tool partnerships with Genuine Parts/ NAPA and Acuity.
“We know that the cost of toolkits can be a major barrier for students and new techs entering the field because of the cost associated with them,” said Chelsea Burriss, Acuity. “We do not want to help remove that barrier, so that those individuals who have interest in pursuing a career in auto care have one less expense to worry about and can feel confident entering their education with a high-quality toolset.”
The Women in Auto Care scholarship program began in 2004 with $2,000 and has continued to gain momentum each year. This marks the fifth year in a row that the program has been its most successful to date, nearly doubling the record set in 2021. In addition, 2022 will see the program surpass a major milestone of more than $1 million dollars’ worth of awards being distributed.
“The Women in Auto Care community scholarship distribution has surpassed $1 million dollars,” said Jessica Toliuszis, 2022 Women in Auto Care Chair. “One. Million. Dollars — In tools and cash prizes for the next generation of automotive professionals. Hundreds of women received scholarships which allowed them to pursue their goal of a career in the auto care industry thanks to the generosity of an entire community. You, every single one of you, played a role in developing the future of our industry. Thank you.”
Women in Auto Care recipients of this year’s fall scholarships, include:
| Allison Hardy | Oakley, | Idaho |
| Ashleigh Stockton | Metairie, | Louisiana |
| Arieauna Mahan | Portland, | Oregon |
| Katherine Miller | Loxley, | Alabama |
| Rebecca Rodrigue | De Soto, | Missouri |
| Emily Holiday | Ypsilanti, | Michigan |
| Erika Burton | Loveland, | Colorado |
| Kirsten Coulthard | Clayton, | North Carolina |
| Jade Bovee | East Moline, | Illinois |
| Jasmine Slater | Moss Point, | Mississippi |
| Adeline Hampson | Santa Rosa, | California |
| Sofia Melkomukov | Woodburn, | Oregon |
| Mariela Henderson | Kaysville, | Utah |
| Kaygen Bogle | Convoy, | Ohio |
| Kennedy Hutton | Portland, | Oregon |
| Haley Penegar | Monroe, | North Carolina |
| Katlyn French | Saint Charles, | Missouri |
| Keeley Whitmer | Cumming, | Georgia |
| Nicole Bil | Algonquin, | Illinois |
| Aileen Herbert | Redmond, | Oregon |
| Kate Miner | Carlock, | Illinois |
| Kirsten Williams | Oak Hill, | West Virginia |
| Jacqueline Melendez Delgado | San Diego, | California |
| Cherokee Hall | Sanford, | North Carolina |
| Megan De Jesus | STOCKBRIDGE, | Georgia |
| Ryanna Martens | Linwood, | Michigan |
| Kayla Walsh | Waco, | Texas |
| Louise Johnson | Florissant, | Missouri |
| Gabrielle Smith | Normandy Park, | Washington |
| Alexis Wight | Gillette, | Wyoming |
| Peyton Kusel | Vinemont, | Alabama |
| Ruby Palacios | Richmond, | Texas |
| Alayna Barba | Chicago, | Illinois |
| Lillian Reichenberger | Romeoville, | Illinois |
| Lailah Shabazz | Richmond, | Virginia |
| Rogue Stoops | Newton, | Illinois |
| Melina Camarena | Upland, | California |
| Crystalee Chaparro | Sewell, | New Jersey |
| Madison Andrews | Salem, | New Hampshire |
| Yasmin Garcia | Riverdale, | California |
| Elisse Richardson | Dexter, | Michigan |
| Sophia Dolan | West Yarmouth, | Massachusetts |
| Shelby Vincent | Thermopolis, | Wyoming |
| Kristen Walker | Riverton, | Utah |
| Shelby Dietz | Sutton, | Nebraska |
| Delanee Ross | Perry, | Missouri |
| Arieonna Blount | Mankato, | Minnesota |
| Bailey Dymacek | Ellsworth, | Wisconsin |
| Rachel Hernandez | Homestead, | Florida |
| Kimberly Betty | Flint, | Michigan |
| Rachel Vinson | Howell, | Michigan |
| Taylor Williams | New Brockton, | Alabama |
| Makala Jackson | Thomson, | Georgia |
| Georgia LeClair | Omaha, | Nebraska |
| Jennifer Stamboulian | Robbinsville, | New Jersey |
| Ashlee Zirkel | Kerrville, | Texas |
| Isabella Milam | Dubuque, | Iowa |
Women in Auto Care will also once again partner with DRiV/ Garage Gurus for an additional $35,000 in awards for a spring program. The recipients of those awards will be announced at AAPEX.
For more information about Women in Auto Care, contact womeninautocare@autocare.org or click here.
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