The Women’s Industry Network (WIN) announced the 2019 recipients of the WIN College Student Tuition and Conference Scholarship Awards. Each year the awards are presented to deserving students enrolled in a post-secondary collision repair technology program. Each recipient receives a $1,000 scholarship to continue their post-secondary education in collision repair and complimentary registration to attend the 2019 WIN Educational Conference. Recipients are also provided the opportunity to be mentored by one of the 2019 Most Influential Women (MIW) Honorees or a member of the WIN Board of Directors.
This year’s recipients include:
Jennifer Evon: Jennifer attends Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Crossville, Tenn. Some of the most delightful moments as a child were helping her grandfather repair cars, so as long as there are vehicles to paint, Jennifer will continue to have a passion for collision repair. She is also involved in The Bread of Life Mission, a rescue mission for the homeless and needy.
Nicole Gutierrez, who attends Washburn Tech in Topeka, Kan., is one of this year’s recipients of the WIN College Student Tuition and Conference Scholarship Award.
Nicole Gutierrez: Nicole attends Washburn Tech in Topeka, Kan. Her passion for cars extends from early childhood, as she was always helping her father fix cars at home and her goal is to continue learning about the collision repair industry. Nicole has been very involved with the Recycled Rides Program which gives reliable cars to families and non-profit organizations in need of transportation.
Heather Hawkins: Heather attends Lake Technical College in Eustis, Fla., and will be graduating mid-June 2019. Knowing the auto collision repair industry can open a lot of career opportunities, Heather is excited to hit the ground running after graduation. Her interest in the automotive field began when she was a young girl doing oil changes with her dad. Heather’s goal is to graduate and work in a body shop – concentrating on the hands-on body repair and/or paint work. In addition to Heather’s busy school schedule, she does find the time to be a regular volunteer at a local dog rescue facility.
Tamara Meyers: Tamara attends Lake Technical College in Eustis, Fla. It wasn’t until Tamara needed auto body work on her personal car that she took interest in the industry. Before then she worked at a zoo, was a cook and even trained horses. Now her days are spent covered in dust from sanding, but knowing the customer will be thrilled with her work puts a big smile on her face. Tamara is now a student ambassador, giving tours and speaking about the auto collision field.
Savannah Moran: Savannah attends Walla Walla Community College in Walla Walla, Wash. While she didn’t become involved in the collision repair industry until a few years ago, she is proud to be a woman autobody technician. Her goal is to own an auto body shop with her current boyfriend who is also in the industry. Savannah has several charities she is involved with including, Homes for Troops and Odd Fellows Care Facility.
Cheyenne Purchase: Cheyenne attends the Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Neb., and plans to earn her associate’s degree in Auto Collision and Estimating. Cheyenne placed 1st at the Nebraska State SkillsUSA championship for Collision Repair Technology in 2018. She has always had an interest in cars and being mechanically inclined, she feels this is the perfect career for her. Cheyenne also enjoys circle track racing on the weekends.
Hannah Quinteros: Hannah attends Washburn Institute of Technology in Topeka, Kan. When Hannah was young, she was always working on her go-cart. She would sand, paint, and pin-stripe anything she could. Her father later gave her the opportunity to work on an old work truck, thus turning her hobby into a future career path. She is looking forward to graduating and moving back to Lawrence or Kansas City and beginning her career. Hannah was involved in the student advisory board and Recycled Rides Program.
Lilian Reed: Lilian attends the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho. She’s known for a long time that the auto collision industry was her home. During her junior and senior years in high school, she participated in SkillsUSA locally and last year she participated in SkillsUSA Idaho State competition where she took gold and competed in Louisville, KY where she took 11th place. This year she plans on competing at the post-secondary level. Lilian’s long-term goal is to be an instructor at a high school/tech school and teach body and paint. Lilian has been very involved with FAA and 4-H over the years, and she has been secretary for the FFA Chapter, youth leader for 4-H club. Her plan after graduation is to work for Creative Auto in Idaho Falls.
Jennifer Watson: Jennifer attends Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas. In 1999, Jennifer entered the Army and served seven years as a helicopter mechanic. After the Army, she went to work for DynCorp working on Apaches and Black Hawks where she was promoted to Crew Chief. After working at DynCorp for 11 years, she was diagnosed with MS. No longer able to climb up into engines to perform her job, Jennifer searched for a career that allowed her to use her talents which lead her to the auto collision industry. Her long-term goal would to become an auto collision instructor at Texas State Technical College. Jennifer is very involved with the Veterans Outreach Ministry at Temple VA Hospital, and she is also involved with Habitat for Humanity.