BETHESDA, Md. — Women in Auto Care (WiAC) recently awarded scholarships worth more than $100,000 to 40 female students looking to have a career in the auto care industry.
"We are incredibly proud to have the opportunity to support 40 female students and make an impact with helping them achieve their dreams," Danielle Sonnefeld, WiAC committee chair, said.
"It is so important that our industry supports the next-generation technicians and leaders in the auto care industry."
The top 2019 scholarship recipient, Tabitha Harris, was selected to receive a $5,000 scholarship and trip to this year's Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo in Las Vegas. She will be honored at the Women in Auto Care reception, taking place at AAPEX at 4 p.m. Nov. 5.
WiAC did not elaborate on why Ms. Harris was selected at the top 2019 scholarship recipient.
This is the 15th year that WAC has awarded scholarships. Over that time span, the value of the scholarships has totaled $457,000, according to WiAC, a community of the Auto Care Association.
High school applicants must be high school seniors who have applied for and been accepted into a post-secondary program at an accredited college with a career plan to be employed in the auto care industry, and are maintaining a minimum 2.5 grade point average.
Post-secondary applicants must be students who are enrolled in a post-secondary program at an accredited college and planning a career in the auto care industry, and are maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.5 or better.
WiAC did not say how many of the recipients are high school seniors versus post-secondary nor provide any background on the recipients' school choices or work history. The 40 recipients hail from 24 states.
The recipients of this year's WiAC scholarships are:
- Stefany Aguilera, Hazel Crest, Ill.;
- Contessa Alcon, Cortez, Colo.;
- Hannah Anderson, Lafayette, Ind.;
- Cecelia Arteaga, El Monte, Calif.;
- Lichinha Barbosa, Mathis, Texas;
- Alanna Carter, Spring Valley, Calif.;
- Hailey Ems, Cincinnati;
- Katelyn Fair, Milan, Ind.;
- Elizabeth Flores, Houston;
- Jayden Gaastra-Torres, Racine, Wis.;
- Rachel Garner, Lock Haven, Pa.;
- Katelyn Golembiewski, Bruce Township, Mich.;
- Tabitha Harris, Milford, Del.;
- Allison Hoch, Oley, Pa.;
- Madelyn Hughes, Trenton, Mich.;
- Emily Koch, Indianapolis:
- Raziel Kellison, West Des Moines, Iowa;
- Savanna Lackey, Sullivan, N.H.;
- Marjorie Lambert, Ovilla, Texas;
- Madison Lusche, Columbus, Neb.;
- Jacquelyn Mallard, Valdosta, Ga.;
- Haley Marshall, Fort Sumner, N.M.;
- Melissa Mitchell, Las Vegas;
- Bethany Mole, Lima, Ohio;
- Savannah Moran, Pendleton, Ore.;
- Alina O'Leary, Powell, Wy.;
- Elisse Richardson, Dexter, Mich.;
- Natalie Riner, Lawrenceville, Ga.;
- Tiana Rivera, Brockton, Mass.
- Madison Russ, Townshend, Vt.;
- Madison Sira, Arcadia, Calif.;
- Logan Spicher, Lewistown, Pa.;
- Edica Suarez, Tupelo, Miss.;
- Juliana Tamayo, Addison, Ill.;
- Erma Villarino, Yakima, Wash.;
- Kacey Wade, Albany, Ky.;
- Karen White II, Sacramento, Calif.;
- Rebekah Wieczorek, Auburn, Ala.;
- Olivia Wright, San Rafael, Calif.;
- Rita Zughbaba, Fairfield, Calif.;