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July 25, 2018HADA Awards Scholarships to Dealer Employees and Dependents
HOUSTON (July 2, 2018) – The Houston Automobile Dealers Association (HADA), representing new car and truck dealers across greater Houston, financially support dealership employees, their dependents and students enrolled in technician high schools through an annual scholarship program. In 2018, the organization proudly issued $348,000 in scholarships to 116 deserving college students. Since its inception in 2003, HADA has awarded 1,890 scholarships to deserving applicants at a total exceeding $4 million.
The 116 scholarship recipients come from all walks of life but have two things in common, their affiliation with new car dealerships and their yearning to continue their education.
“This scholarship is so significant for me. It means I will not even have to pay this year’s school tuition,” exclaimed Sarah Burick-Clausen, a student at Lone Star College Montgomery, whose father is a salesman at Gillman Subaru-North. “I’m now able to devote saving money to teaching abroad in Japan and stress less about being financially burdened.”
More than 300 students applied for the scholarship in the spring. Applicants are screened and selected by a special committee based on financial need, community engagement and academic excellence.
“The need for a secondary education, be it technical schooling or a university, is even more important than it was before,” said RoShelle Salinas, vice president of HADA. “Nonetheless, education is also more expensive than ever before. The dealer community is proud to relieve financial burden from these students and support their educational dreams.”
Recipient Juan Quintero is in his second year at the Universal Technical Institute after completing an Automotive Youth Services program in high school. With a second child born early this year, this scholarship supports him not only in pursuing his education but inspires him to continue his work within a dealership and become a master technician. 
“Applying for this scholarship showed me that there is always a way to continue your education if you just try hard enough,” said Quintero. “This gets me on my feet and keeps me on track with my classes and my job at Gillman Acura.”
Additionally, HADA implemented a new Toolbox Reimbursement program for Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation (ASE-EF) students accepted into an internship within a HADA member’s new car dealership. In 2017, 12 technician interns received a Snap-on Toolbox including a full set of tools at no cost to the student. Dealership service managers and interns can apply for this reimbursement throughout the summer of their internship.
“HADA has always been dedicated to assisting dealer employees and their dependents in furthering their education,” said Wyatt Wainwright, president of HADA. “We’re proud to hear from students who have put their scholarships to use at universities and colleges across the country and in industries including automotive and healthcare to engineering and business.”
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