Five Students Receive Auto Dealer Scholarships
The Washington State Auto Dealers Association (WSADA) awarded a total of $12,500 to five students in its “New Car and Truck Dealers American Dream” scholarship program. Applicants wrote an essay detailing their American Dream and how they plan to fulfill it. A $2,500 scholarship was awarded to a Western Washington student, an Eastern Washington student, a family member of a WSADA-affiliated dealership employee, and two automotive technology students.
“The judges were impressed with not only the recipients’ thoughtful and inspiring essays, but also their outstanding accomplishments,” said WSADA Executive Vice President Vicki Giles Fabré. “Each one is a highly capable, self-motivated, and promising young person who will make a significant impact on their communities in the future.”
The Western Washington recipient was Trinity Reeve, a graduate of Central Kitsap High School in Silverdale. Trinity took Advanced Placement courses, was a member of the tennis team and Environmental Club, and also worked part-time. She completed a month-long service program in Costa Rica where she lived with a host family and helped on their farm, used her Spanish skills working with elementary school students, and helped build a bus station. Trinity will attend Barnard College of Columbia University and major in science and pre-med.
Hannah Doyle, a graduate of Richland’s Hanford High School and Washington State University’s Running Start program, received the Eastern Washington scholarship. She was one of fifteen students chosen by the National History Day organization to tell the story of a fallen World War II soldier through interviews, research at the National Archives and visits to historic sites in France. In addition, she was one of eight Student Ambassadors selected to interview veterans for the National World War II Museum. She will attend the University of Washington and pursue a law degree.
Aubrey Waterman graduated from Gig Harbor’s Peninsula High School and received the scholarship for a family member of a WSADA-affiliated dealership employee. Aubrey was active in student leadership and one of ten students selected for the district’s Health Science Summer Internship program. She also played high school and club volleyball, was captain of her school team, and received several scholar-athlete awards. The daughter of Chad Waterman, a manager at West Hills Honda in Bremerton, Aubrey will attend Boise State University and study respiratory therapy.
Jakob Harn and Christopher Rutledge each received a $2,500 scholarship to continue their automotive technology studies. Jakob is on the Vice President’s List for academic achievements at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, and works part-time at an automotive repair shop. He also completed Firefighter 1 training and is a volunteer firefighter.
Christopher attends Vancouver’s Clark College where he consistently earns top academic scores. He also held a full-time internship at a new car dealership. “Winning this award is a huge deal for me because it shows there are people and organizations that genuinely care about not only my future education, but the education of every other student out there,” Chris said.
“Washington dealers as individuals are very active in supporting the academic goals of young people,” Ms. Fabré added. “The Washington State Auto Dealers Association is honored to take that a step further as a group and help Trinity, Hannah, Aubrey, Jakob and Christopher fulfill their educational goals and future dreams.”
Since the scholarship program began in 2008, a total of $112,500 has been awarded to 45 students from across the state. WSADA will offer another scholarship program in Fall 2018. Information will be available at wsada.org.