Four students of Lincoln Technical Institute Center for Automotive Education in Whitestone were the recipients of a combined $20,000 in scholarships from the Greater New York Auto Dealers Association.
The Greater New York Auto Dealers represents 400 franchise new car dealerships in the Metro New York area, according to the association.
In Fresh Meadows at Lake Success, the association had its annual charity golf outing on June 17 and presented each of the four students $5,000 towards their tuition, according to spokesman Jason Fink.
“They are the future of our industry and it is looking very bright indeed,” said President Mark Schienberg of GNYADA to students Destanie Greczkowski, German Gonzalez, Oliver Zhou and Elias Soto.
For Greczkowski, the scholarship doesn’t only improve her life, but that of her child.
“This scholarship is not just going towards me, it’s benefiting my whole family, my son as well,” said Ms.Greczkowski of Jamaica. “That’s more that I can do for him in the future. I’m really hoping that if my son sees me going after what I want to do, that will encourage him in the future, and he will go after the things he loves.”
This grant makes it possible for Gonzalez to live out his childhood dream.
“Since I was a little kid, I always loved cars. I had cars under my bed, everywhere,” said Gonzalez of East Elmhurst. “I’m so glad I found this school. My parents are proud of me because I’m really doing what I like.”‘
For Zhou, a Howard Beach resident, this scholarship is transformative.
“I really feel like this is going to change my life and really enable me to do what I love,” said Zhou. “In New York, there are so many opportunities, so many dealerships, so many jobs and so much opportunity for growth.”
With thousands of jobs opening in the auto industry, this meant Soto could find a place where he could combine his love of technology and sustain a livelihood.
“I’m so excited to begin my career in an area that I’m truly passionate about,” said Soto of Yonkers. “My particular focus has been in electronics, the high-tech components that are such an integral part of today’s cars. I hope to use that knowledge to build a long-term career at a dealership fixing cars today and into the future.”
Schienberg is happy to have provided the scholarships to the future auto dealership technicians.
“These students have worked so hard to achieve the level of skills that are critical to be in the auto industry. GNYADA and its member dealers are proud to support the education of so many talented young people at Lincoln Tech,” said Schienberg.
