Organization has distributed a total of 81 awards, combining cash scholarships and toolkits, with an unprecedented value of $425,000
Bethesda, Md.—Women in Auto Care, a community of the Auto Care Association, has achieved a milestone in its scholarship program, now in its 20th year. Setting a record, the organization has distributed a total of 81 awards, combining cash scholarships and toolkits, with an unprecedented value of $425,000.
These awards serve as an investment in the aspirations of female students across the United States, nurturing their interest in pursuing careers within the automotive aftermarket.
In addition to financial support, Women in Auto Care will provide scholarship winners with an Industry Swag Box—a curated collection of items introducing them to the organization and showcasing key companies in the automotive aftermarket. This aims to familiarize recipients with the industry and cultivate community belonging.
Women in Auto Care have also introduced monthly virtual Connection Circles for scholarship winners, allowing them to connect with peers and receive mentorship from experienced female technicians and instructors, aimed at fostering ongoing support, professional growth, and networking opportunities for their career success.
The success of this year’s scholarship program is credited to the support and generosity of Women in Auto Care’s community sponsors and member contributions. Their dedication to fostering diversity and opportunity within the industry has made a significant impact on the lives and futures of aspiring professionals.
Over the past year, Women in Auto Care has strengthened partnerships and significantly expanded its scholarship program. Collaborating with Garage Gurus, Women in Auto Care awarded five $7,000 scholarships totaling $35,000 and partnered with Dorman to grant a $10,000 scholarship. Additionally, through partnerships with NAPA and Acuity, toolkits valued at $8,700 and $3,000 were respectively distributed.
The Women in Auto Care scholarship program, which commenced in 2004 with $2,000, has steadily gathered momentum over the years. This year marks the seventh consecutive year of continued success. Notably, the program achieved a significant milestone in 2022 by surpassing a total of $1 million in scholarships and toolkits awarded.
In 2023, Women in Auto Care was honored with the designation of Gold Lifetime Trustee for the University of the Aftermarket, underscoring its commitment to education and advancement within the auto care industry.
Women in Auto Care recipients of this year’s scholarships include:
Women in Auto Care/Dorman Scholarship
• Danica Warner – St. Louis, Miss.
Women in Auto Care/Garage Gurus Scholarships
• Annika Ernstrom – McPherson, Kan.
• Aria Cummings – Montrose, Colo.
• Megan Huerdo Vargas – Katy, Texas
• Olivia Hollerich – Westerville, Ohio
• Leah Perry – Carroll, Neb.
Women in Auto Care/Acuity Tool Kit Awards
• Abigail Cigarroa Gomez – American Canyon, Calif.
• Anita Venegas – Evansville, Ind.
• Cady Tipple – Lancaster, Ohio
• Ciera McCarty – New Richmond, Wis.
• Clara Menlove – Alpine, Utah
• Dasia Faulk – Panama City, Fla.
• Harmony Rizor – Pink Hill, N.C.
• Jamie Benefiel – Galveston, Ind.
• Katie Sukpanthee – Mascotte, Fla.
• Kayla Torrez – Gardnerville, Nev.
• Laci Prignon – Dryden, N.Y.
• Leslie Perez-Meza – Chicago, Ill.
• Lillian Heydt – Jim Thorpe, Pa.
• Magan Cruz-Wingo – Vallejo, Calif.
• Megan Layton – Ogden, Utah
• Olivia Brindley – Kimberly, Ala.
• Peri West – Phoenix, Ariz.
• Samanatha Kolozy – Jacksonville, Fla.
Women in Auto Care/NAPA Tool Kit Awards
• Aleesha Howard – Atoka, Okla.
• Alexis Faught – Glendora, Calif.
• Allison Prentice – Eldorado, Ill.
• Brittany Ladion – Lucero – San Francisco, Calif.
• Cathryn Elkins – Yakima, Wash.
• Claire Uhler – York, Neb.
• Darissa Rodriguez – Bakersfield, Calif.
• Diane Young – Kirkwood, Miss.
• Haley DeLine – Gig Harbor, Wash.
• Jennine Amato – Longmont, Colo.
• Jessica Gutierrez – Burnsville, Minn.
• Joanna Bejar – Saratoga, Calif.
• Julia Wydra – Chesapeake, Va.
• Kathryn McCrosson – Medford, NJ.
• Mia Safrit – Waxhaw, N.C.• Paige Selbo – Amherst, Wis.
• Riley Brouwer – Wylie, Texas
• Shelby Wycough – Batesville, Alaska
• Veronika Fetterly – Petaluma, Calif.
• Victoria Smitch – Columbus, Ohio
Women in Auto Care Scholarships
• Abigail Organ – Westland, Minn.
• Alayna Barba – Chicago, Ill.
• Alivia Schneider – Blooming Prairie, Minn.
• Allison Kent – Hampton, Va.
• Alyssa Wagner – Fallon, Nev.
• Amanda Saunders – Buckner, Ill.
• Anabel Lopez – Binghamton, N.Y.
• Ariel Burns – Chicago, Ill.
• Avery Bagwell – Shreveport, La.
• Bryanna Sidders – Alva, Okla.
• Elizabeth Berberich – Ooltewah, Tenn.
• Grace Watson – Midlothian, Va.
• Griffin Vanosdoll – Brighton, Colo.
• Isabell Schmidt – Mankato, Minn.
• Jaedyn Moreno – Bakersfield, Calif.
• Jocelyn Pandolfo – Clark, N.J.
• Josephine Schmucker – Lima, Ohio
• Joyce Middleton – Lake City, Fla.
• Julieanne Newman – Chelsea, Ala.
• Karol Ruiz – Immokalee, Fla.
• Katherine Miller – Loxley, Ala.
• Keely Whitmer – Cumming, Ga.
• Mariela Henderson – Kaysville, Utah
• Megan DeJesus – Stockbridge, Ga.
• Mersadies Nichols – Conewango, N.Y.
• Rebekkah Cunningham – Lakewood, Wash.
• Salam Khalaf – Camarillo, Calif.
• Samantha Rivera – Highland Mills, N.Y.
• Sara Hernandez – Glenwood, Minn.
• Shelby Topham – Farmington, Utah
• Shyanne Durst – Wildwood, Fla.
• Taylee Thompson – Reno, Nev.
• Waverly Landrith – Mustang, Okla.
• Yelena Ayala – Oxnard, Calif.Zoie Ross – Cincinnati, Ohio
For more information about Women in Auto Care scholarship opportunities, visit autocare.org/women-in-auto-care.
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