Scott A. Ross Memorial Automotive Scholarship

My passion for the automotive industry has grown stronger every year because working on vehicles gives me a sense of excitement and accomplishment that few other things can match. Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by how vehicles work. While some people only admire cars for their appearance or speed, I have always been interested in what happens underneath the hood. Over time, that interest has turned into a true passion. My interest first began at home watching my dad work on our lawn mowers, tractors, and mowing equipment. I remember spending hours in the barn with him, observing while we got the equipment ready for mowing season each year. At first, I mostly handed over tools and asked questions, but over time I started understanding the importance of every repair and adjustment. Back then, I thought I was simply spending time being “Daddy’s helper,” not realizing those special moments were helping shape the passion and career path I have today. This experience sparked my curiosity about how engines and machines operate. I became fascinated by how every part works together, from fuel systems and hydraulics to belts, brakes, and electrical components. Instead of being frustrated by mechanical problems, I became excited by the challenge of solving them. Those early experiences taught me patience, responsibility, and the value of hard work. Over the last four years, my passion for mechanics has grown even stronger through my experience working at Quint’s Quality Service after school, on breaks and during the summer, working in a professional shop environment has given me hands-on experience that cannot be learned in a classroom alone. Every day in the shop brings new opportunities to learn and improve my skills. I have gained experience performing maintenance, diagnosing engine problems, replacing worn components, and assisting with repairs on a variety of vehicles and equipment. This experience has also taught me discipline, teamwork, and the importance of doing every job correctly the first time, safety and reliability always come first in this field. While pursuing my goals, I have also faced several personal challenges that have shaped who I am today. One of the biggest difficulties has been supporting my family through serious medical issues. My father underwent a quadruple bypass surgery due to heart problems, and complications from diabetes later resulted in the amputation of one of his toes. Watching him go through those health struggles was extremely difficult for our family emotionally and financially. At the same time, my mother is currently battling breast cancer, which has created additional stress and uncertainty in our lives. Experiencing these hardships has taught me resilience, maturity, and perseverance. There were times when balancing school, work, and family responsibilities felt overwhelming, but those experiences pushed me to become stronger and more determined. I learned how important it is to stay focused even during difficult circumstances. Instead of allowing these challenges to discourage me, they motivated me to work harder toward building a stable and successful future for myself and my family. Pursuing a career in the automotive field is more than just a job opportunity for me—it is a chance to build a meaningful future doing something I genuinely enjoy. My work experience, combined with the personal challenges I have overcome, has prepared me to face obstacles with determination and a positive attitude. I am committed to continuing my education, improving my skills, and building a successful career in the automotive industry while making my family proud.

Growing up I have always worked with my dad and brothers on our personal vehicles as well as helping friends with theirs. This experience gave me a love for cars and fixing things that I carry to this day. It has gotten me through many new experiences as my parents divorced and their financial situations became more complicated. In my 20s I had a Chevy s10 truck that I inherited from my grandmother that needed lots of work. I did all of my own brakes and oil changes as well as replaced old parts like my water pump. Also I used to do my mothers brakes and oil changes when I lived in the same area as her. Both my mother and I did delivery work in San Diego so I became very proficient in everyday maintenance of our vehicles. My father also enlisted my help and my brothers help with fixing up his van that he currently lives in. While doing delivery work for Dominos I would help my coworkers and friends with their car maintenance and even helped to fix a bumper for my friends truck. Having these experiences with my family fostered a love for automotive work that I carry to this day. My parents divorced when I was about 11 years old and I ended up being a mediator between them. This effected my ability to handle stress and conflict between others. I have been working on these issues with the help of my partner and can confidently say I have made significant progress which inspired me to get further education. After my parents divorce my father became homeless and my mother moved to low income housing. Previously we were a family that was able to enjoy vacations out of the country so this was a big change to me. It has taught me to not take anything for granted and that to succeed you must constantly work hard to achieve your goals. Once I have received my certification I will find employment with either a dealership or other automotive shop to gain experience in customer care and vehicle maintenance. With this experience I will then study business and open my own shop that I can pass onto my children. being able to go to school an earn this certification as you can see means a great deal to me and my goals to provide a stable and loving home to my family and open my own shop. I appreciate your consideration.