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 incredible 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 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 just $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 one 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, please contact womeninautocare@autocare.org or click here.