The I-CAR Education Foundation, in conjunction with AkzoNobel and The Most Influential Women of the Collision Repair Industry, awarded eight young women with scholarships to assist in their education and advancement in the collision industry.
The top scholarship winner in the Secondary category is Amanda Middlebrook, a student at Chantilly Academy in Chantilly, Va. Middlebrook will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship to continue her education and career in the collision industry. Kenny Brown, an instructor at Chantilly Academy states, "Her work ethic is strong as well as her commitment to completing a job she starts with a high quality product. She is self motivated and driven to perfection with superb skills and knowledge of the industry…She has a strong desire to excel in this field and is deserving of the accolades."
The top scholarship winner in the Post-Secondary category is Nina Hunter, a student at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. Hunter will also be awarded a $5,000 scholarship for her education and career advances. Justin Tate, an instructor at Weber State University, said, "It is difficult to imagine a student who is more capable than Nina. She represents a rare blending of active non-traditional involvement in her classes at Weber State. Her attitude and her personality have made her well known among our faculty…Her work is always of high quality and her commitment to her education always ensures that her assignments are done. This multitasking ability is one more of the reasons I am certain she will be successful in her education and career in collision repair."
In addition to Middlebrook and Hunter, six runner-up scholarships were awarded to students from career and technical schools and colleges around the United States. All of the runner-up recipients will receive a $2,500 scholarship to continue their education. In the Secondary category, the Education Foundation congratulates: Jillian Bass from Dennis Technical Education Center in Boise, Idaho; Victoria Penecale from Eastern Center for Arts and Technology in Willow Grove, Pa.; and Cara Ashlyn Stevens from Scarlet Oaks Career Development Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In the Post-Secondary category, the Education Foundation congratulates: Erin Havard from WyoTech in West Sacramento, Calif.; Maggie Jacque from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, Wis; and Nicole Ann Thompson from Waukesha County Technical College in Waukesha, Wis.
“The I-CAR Education Foundation is proud to partner with AkzoNobel to provide this important scholarship program," said Scott Kruger, I-CAR Education Foundation executive director. "Women are and should certainly be a vital part of our industry workforce where repairs are becoming more complex and technical and customer engagement and satisfaction are key concerns. Scholarships like the Most Influential Women program not only help these young women complete their education, they also demonstrate to everyone that women are welcome in collision repair and gender diversity is important to the success of the industry."
"AkzoNobel has entered our second decade with sponsorship of the Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry program," noted Tim Loden, director of marketing for AkzoNobel Car Refinishes Americas. "It has been an extremely gratifying experience to acknowledge so many deserving individuals."
Established in 1999, The Most Influential Women of the Collision Repair Industry program annually recognizes the leadership contributions that are made by a unique group of individuals that have dedicated themselves to the betterment of this industry and their communities.
