I-CAR Education Foundation names 2009 scholarship winners

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - The I-CAR Education Foundation has announce the recipients of the two scholarships in collision repair that were created to assist deserving students pursuing a career in the collision industry. These awards are part of over $150,000 in grants and scholarships to be given out in 2009 by the I-CAR Education Foundation.

One of the scholarships, the I-CAR Education Foundation Scholarship, is in its second year and funded by the entire collision industry through the Collision Repair Education Campaign. The second scholarship, The Lon Baudoux Legacy Scholarship, is a new scholarship opportunity created to honor Lon Baudoux, I-CAR Development Manager, who passed away in November 2008. This scholarship is funded mainly by I-CAR staff and I-CAR instructors who worked with Lon at I-CAR.

For the I-CAR Education Foundation scholarship, the top scholarship winner in the secondary category is Felipe de Jesus Camarena Figueroa, a student at Dutch Fork High School/Irmo High School in Irmo, SC. Figueroa will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship to continue his education and career in the collision industry. James Philip Tanner, an instructor at Irmo High school said, “Felipe is a model student at Irmo High School. His performance in the classroom and laboratory has resulted in excellent grades, and his behavior and interaction with other students have earned him respect from his classmates…Felipe nurtures the ambition to be an automobiles painter/repairman. I feel fortunate to have known Felipe for these past two years.”

The top scholarship winners in the post-secondary category are Amanda Struphar and Jennifer Baca, both students at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Houston, TX. Struphar and Baca will each be awarded a $5,000 scholarship to continue their education in the collision industry.
Keith Perry has had the privilege of teaching both Struphar and Baca at UTI and highly recommended both students for the award. Of Struphar, Perry said, “[Amanda] is a good person full of determination...She consistently displays all of the character traits that any employer would enjoy having on their staff. This young lady is a cut above the rest.” Of Baca, Perry said, “This young lady has latched on to auto repair with a vengeance. She is real high-spirit and seems to have a passion for the art….All in all she is a well rounded person with exceptional character.”

In addition to Figueroa, Struphar and Baca, five additional I-CAR Education Foundation scholarships were awarded to students from career and technical schools and colleges. The additional winners will each receive a $2,000 scholarship to continue their education. In the secondary category, the Education Foundation congratulates: Jerry Aceves from Ratteree Career Development Center in Irving, TX; Josh Albrecht from Nichols Career Center in Jefferson City, MO; and Jeremy Kirst from Westfield Vocational High School in Westfield, MA.

In the Post-Secondary category, the I-CAR Education Foundation congratulates: Laura Maria Salas from Contra Costa College in San Pablo, CA and Mychelle Hix from Herndon Career Center in Raytown, MO.

For the Lon Baudoux Legacy Scholarship, which was highly based on a student’s activities outside of school, two award recipients were selected; Gavin Villanueva from Contra Costa College in San Pablo, CA and Seth Clark Dunn from Universal Technical Institute in Houston, TX. Each will receive a $1,000 to continue his education in collision repair.

Peter Lock, an instructor at Contra Costa College, said of Villanueva “Over the past year I have seen his technical skills grow. During school assignments he has demonstrated that he can handle the challenges that arise while completing the many tasks necessary to learn and become a technician on today’s automobiles. He has pride in his work and always gives his best.”

Oliver James Beckham III, an instructor at UTI said of Nunn, “[Seth] is a hard worker and displays a passion for the collision industry. He has performed in an exemplary manner throughout his courses here at UTI.”

“These winners are just a small sample of the impressive young men and women that I am certain will make a positive impact on the collision industry,” said Scott Kruger, I-CAR Education Foundation Executive Director. “Congratulations to them and thank you to our donors who are helping collision students nationwide turn their passion for cars into a rewarding career.”

A selection committee comprised of members of the Education Foundation Board of Trustees Grant Programs Task Force, made the final selection of scholarship recipients. Committee members included: