Aug. 21, 2014—The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) for the third year awarded a “mega-prize” to a North Carolina automotive instructor at the SkillsUSA 100% Advisor Reception held in June, the company announced Thursday.

The award was coordinated with SkillsUSA to demonstrate industry support to student competitors and their advisors.

Sandy Martin of Starmount High School in Boonville, N.C., was awarded the prize package this year, which was an expenses-paid trip for two to attend the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, donated by both SCRS and SEMA.The prize package included: two VISA gift cards for airline expenses, two hotel rooms, two passes into the 2014 SEMA Show, and two full-series passes to the SCRS Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series.

"I've read all about the work SCRS is doing at SEMA, and I've seen the show on TV and in all sorts of magazines,” Martin said. “I've always wanted to go, but never thought that I would have the opportunity to attend it. This is such a great opportunity to take in and be able to bring back to my kids this year. I'm speechless with gratitude. SkillsUSA is such a rewarding program to even be able to participate in, and then to walk away with more opportunities like this; it's just indescribable."

In addition to the “mega-prize,” all student competitors and sponsoring schools will receive a complimentary one-year membership to SCRS.

SEMA is also offering a discounted, $50 full-series pass to education programs at the event, which will be held Nov. 4–7. Instructors can email Juliet Marshall, education administrator for SEMA for more information about the discount.