![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/screensho97ff1f372bae4af28c3c30e5472e85b4.webp)
Hobbies and interests
Basketball
Business And Entrepreneurship
Cars and Automotive Engineering
Community Service And Volunteering
Driving
Engineering
Fishing
Gaming
Landscaping
Social Media
Sports
Swimming
YouTube
Branden Bowers
885
Bold Points1x
Finalist![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/screensho97ff1f372bae4af28c3c30e5472e85b4.webp)
Branden Bowers
885
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
My name is Branden Bowers and I will be graduating from high school in May of 2024. When I graduate I will be attending Universal Technical Institute in Dallas, TX to continue my education in Automotive/Diesel Technology. I have had a passion for cars and how they work since I was 10 years old when I got my first RC car for Christmas. I have enjoyed building model engines and upgrading my RC cars for several years. I am currently working on my first "real" project a 1994 Chevy Camaro, which I am completely restoring!
Education
Life High School Waxahachie
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Trade School
Majors of interest:
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians, Other
Career
Dream career field:
Automotive
Dream career goals:
Cashier and Stocker
Big Lots2023 – Present1 year
Sports
Basketball
Junior Varsity2012 – 202311 years
Public services
Volunteering
Samaritans Purse — packer2013 – 2023
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
Hamiltonville Farm Scholarship
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was 10 years old on Christmas of 2016 when I got my first RC car. It was a green and black,1:16 Latrax Teton, modeled off the Monster Jam Truck called The Grave Digger. I couldn’t wait to take it out on the streets with my dad and hear the engine rev down the street. Boy was I disappointed! It only went like 20-25 mph and it was as quiet as a Tesla. I knew I had to upgrade the engine and fast! I went to YouTube and found a couple of videos on how to change out the motor and ESC. I ordered the parts and in no time, we were up to 40mph! That is when my passion for fixing cars began. I built one from scratch starting with only a chassis and shell. I had about 9 RC cars that I spent a lot of time, building , upgrading and racing with my dad and friends. It became a competition between me and my dad to see whose car was the fastest. Of course, I would always win. My most prize possession was my 1:7, Arrma Felony. This car could get up to 80+ mph and unlike my Latrax, you could definitely here it whizzing down the street.
My parents saw my new found passion and ordered me a V8 Combustion Engine Model Building Kit for Kids, from Amazon. In my spare time, I would work on it and I successfully got it to run.
I soon realized that engines not only power cars, but boats as well. I bought a RC boat from Bass Pro. I wanted to put a RC car engine in the boat. To do this, I had to modify the shell of the boat to add the engine and ECS from the RC car to fit. You should have seen that boat zooming across the water!
I have now graduated to “real “ cars and used my own money to purchase a non-running 1994 Chevy Camaro V6 which I plan to rebuild. The first change will be to convert the 3.4L engine to a 5.3 LS engine.
Over this past summer I had an opportunity to participate in the Summer Ignite Program at Universal Technical Institute in Dallas. I spent 3 weeks learning the basic components of an engine and ultimately took apart and put back together, a Ford Minivan engine. At the end of the program I took a test and successfully passed and earned a certificate. That certificate gives me credit for the course and I will not have to complete it next year when I enroll at UTI.
As mentioned before, my dad is into cars as well. I have helped him with changing brakes, changing oil and many other maintenance repairs on his and my mom’s cars.
I have loved working on cars since I was 10 years old. I am incredibly detailed oriented and understand how components work together. This is very important when you think about the safety of the vehicles operation. I want to learn everything about how to repair auto and diesel vehicles and that it is why I have chosen and been accepted to UTI. Universal Technical Institute is one of the nations leading providers of automotive and diesel training and I know that I will receive the best education there. Your scholarship will help my career dreams come true.