My interest in the automotive industry started long before I knew what I wanted my career to be. My grandfather, Robert “Bob” Gatzke, was a major influence on that path. He built a career in the tire and automotive industry, including helping establish Parnelli Jones Inc., serving as president of the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association, and helping establish the Independent Tire Dealers’ Bill of Rights. He was eventually inducted into the Tire Industry Hall of Fame. Hanging out with him as a kid and growing up knowing what he accomplished made the automotive industry feel like part of my family’s heritage, and it gave me something I wanted to continue adding onto in my own way. That interest became something of my own when I entered Forsyth Central High School and discovered its Automotive Technology program. I quickly realized that I enjoyed more than simply working on cars. I enjoyed diagnosing problems, understanding how systems worked together, and figuring out why something was not working. Using tools such as Pico scopes, scan tools, and multimeters taught me that automotive repair requires much more than mechanical ability. It requires patience, critical thinking, and a willingness to keep learning. I carried that passion into Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology with a 3.915 GPA. I have also pursued real-world experience through two Quality Co-op internships with Toyota Motor North America. Working in engineering roles, I investigated vehicle concerns, benchmarked processes against other manufacturers, supported efficiency improvements, and authored Pre-Delivery Service Technical Service Bulletins. These experiences have given me a perspective beyond the repair itself and shown me how the work of technicians connects to engineering, quality, and customer satisfaction. At the same time, I have continued learning through my own 2006 Subaru Legacy GT. I have performed virtually all of the work on the car myself, including suspension, drivetrain, cooling, fuel, turbocharging, and other performance modifications. The car has been one of my greatest teachers. Problems have rarely happened at convenient times, there have been late nights and early mornings, but keeping it running while balancing school, internships, travel, and everything else has forced me to become resourceful and persistent. Every repair has given me another opportunity to diagnose, research, make a decision, and learn from the result. My passion for understanding how vehicles perform has also led me to autocross through SIU. I have competed in SCCA events with the school’s Honda Del Sol and regularly attend events with friends, helping support their cars and with vehicle setup. Autocross has introduced me to the competitive side of automotive performance and further deepened my interest in vehicle dynamics. My long-term goal is to work in vehicle dynamics while maintaining the hands-on diagnostic and repair foundation that brought me into the industry. One of the challenges I face is the cost of continuing a specialized automotive education while gaining the experience needed. Tuition, tools, equipment, training, and even travel all add up. I have worked and completed internships while pursuing my degree, and receiving the Autel Awarding Excellence Scholarship would help relieve some of that stress and weight. Allowing me to keep investing in the education and tools that will make me a better technician and automotive professional. My grandfather showed me that a career in this industry can hold a lifelong legacy. I hope to continue his legacy in my own way. I want to impact the industry through hands-on repair, engineering, diagnostics, and vehicle dynamics, and build a career that I can be proud to put my name behind.