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WSADA Announces the
"The Car of MY Future" Scholarship Winners
Grand Prize Winner:
David Griffin, Tri Tech Skills Center, Kennewick
Click here to view the winning essay and his drawing
Four high school seniors received scholarships totaling $8,500 from the Washington State Auto Dealers Association (WSADA) in the organization's first-ever scholarship program. Students were asked to envision, through a two-dimensional art work and two-page essay, what their personal vehicle of the future might look like, the special features they would like it to have, how it would advance or improve their lifestyle, and how it would support the environment.
"The Association is pleased to help these four deserving young people realize their academic goals," said WSADA Executive Vice President Vicki Giles Fabré. "The program offered a totally unique view into the mindset of the next generation of customers and the judges were very impressed with the applicants' thoughtfulness and creativity."
The scholarship recipients are:
Grand Prize ($3,000) David Griffin, Tri Tech Skills Center, Kennewick. David will attend Western Washington University in Bellingham and pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology and Vehicle Design.
First Prize/Western WA ($2,000) Ryan Charrier, Port Townsend High School, Port Townsend. Ryan will attend the University of Washington in Seattle.
First Prize/Eastern WA ($2,000) Jasmine McCollum, Tri Tech Skills Center, Kennewick.
Second Prize ($1,500) Nicholas Brugato, Todd Beamer High School, Federal Way.
Entries were judged on a 100 point scale with a maximum 50 points for the visual portion, 40 for the essay, and 10 points for a letter of recommendation. Judges included WSADA dealer members and staff, as well as a representative from the media, and an automobile manufacturer.
"Supporting academic endeavors that may contribute to the technological advancement of the auto industry and better serve the environment is something that WSADA is pleased to be a part of," Ms. Fabré said. "The Washington State Auto Dealers Association is honored to play a small role in helping these young people as they embark on the next stage of their academic careers."
WSADA will offer another scholarship program in the fall of 2008 for the graduating class of 2009.
Information on Dealer Charitable Contributions:
In addition to giving countless hours of their personal time to worthy causes across the state, Washington State’s franchised new car and truck dealers donate an estimated $9 million per year to charitable organizations. Their contributions, both in time and money, cover a broad spectrum of organizations – everything from emergency family services, to education, the arts, and community improvement projects.
The Washington State Auto Dealers Association also promotes goodwill on behalf of its members by supporting, among others, the Independent Colleges of Washington (ICW), Washington Business Week (WBW), and the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation (NADCF).
WSADA has donated to the Independent Colleges of Washington since 1967, benefiting more than 200 students at Gonzaga University; Saint Martin’s College; Seattle Pacific University; University of Puget Sound; Walla Walla College; and Whitman College. WSADA recently increased its ICW contribution so that each year, 10 students receive financial assistance. Nearly one in four baccalaureate and higher degrees awarded in Washington are from an ICW member college.
Since 1982, WSADA has supported Washington Business Week, introducing students to basic economic and business concepts, teamwork, leadership & goal-setting. Using a computer simulation of a hypothetical business in need of better management, student teams compete to be the most profitable. Over 40,000 young people have participated in WBW since the program was established in 1976.
WSADA is also an Ambassador of the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation, which has gifted over $5.5 million for emergency medical and economic educational organizations and private-sector colleges and universities. As an Ambassador, WSADA makes a financial gift every three years to an organization that reflects the Foundation’s goals.
Among NADCF’s notable contributions since it was founded in 1975:
- Saved lives by donating CPR manikins to train more than 1.9 million people in lifesaving techniques.
- Provided financial support to volunteer rescue squads.
- Presented grants to ethics programs at colleges and universities.
- Given emergency relief to dealership employees who are victims of hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters.
- Promoted financial literacy with grants to worthy organizations throughout the country.
- Helped students weather financial hardships by donating to college emergency funds.
- Ensured personal mobility by supporting organizations such as Canine Companions for Independence.
- Aided 9/11 survivors with $2 million in donations.
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