
Nick Lyons
1x
Finalist
Nick Lyons
1x
FinalistBio
My name is Nicholas Nick Lyons, and I am a student at Point Pleasant Junior/Senior High School. After graduation, I plan to attend the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Business along with Heavy/Medium Diesel Technology. My goal is to work in the diesel industry with Mack and Volvo and eventually become a manager in the field.
One of the biggest experiences that shaped me was losing my father at a young age. That experience forced me to mature quickly and taught me resilience, responsibility, and perseverance. It motivated me to work hard and stay focused on building a successful future.
I currently work at Walmart as a cashier, where I have learned communication, patience, and responsibility. I am also involved in Game Changers, where we speak to younger students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and encourage them to make positive choices. In addition, I completed around 60 volunteer hours at a nursing home, helping residents and assisting in the kitchen, which taught me patience and compassion.
I earned my OSHA 10 certification and scored a 70.2 on my NOCTI automotive test. I believe I deserve scholarships because I always give my best effort, stay determined through challenges, and remain committed to achieving my goals.
Education
Point Pleasant High School
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
Walmart2026 – Present7 monthsCook
Dairy Queen2025 – 20261 year
WCEJ Thornton Foundation Tools of the Trade Scholarship
I decided to pursue diesel technology because I’ve always enjoyed working on vehicles and learning how they work. Ever since I was younger, I’ve been interested in cars, trucks, and anything mechanical. I’ve never been the type of person who wants to sit behind a desk all day. I like being active, working with my hands, and solving problems. There’s something rewarding about finding out what’s wrong with a vehicle, fixing it, and seeing it run correctly again. That feeling of accomplishment is one of the main reasons I chose this career path.
I recently graduated high school and will be starting at the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) on August 23. I will be studying Mack and Volvo Diesel Technology while also working toward my Bachelor’s degree in Business. I chose this path because I want to build a career in an industry that I genuinely enjoy while also gaining the business knowledge needed to move into management later in my career. I believe having both technical skills and business skills will give me more opportunities in the future and help me become a well rounded professional.
During high school, I participated in my school’s automotive program, which helped confirm that this was the right career choice for me. I enjoyed learning about vehicle systems, diagnostics, repairs, and maintenance. The more I learned, the more interested I became in pursuing a career where I could continue developing those skills. Diesel technology stood out to me because of the important role diesel engines play in transportation, construction, agriculture, and many other industries.
I come from a low income family, so I understand how important it is to work hard for what you want. Going to college and starting a career is exciting, but it also comes with a lot of expenses. Between tuition, tools, books, housing, and other costs, it can be overwhelming at times. Even with those challenges, I’m determined to continue my education and build a successful future for myself. I know that the effort I put in now will help create more opportunities for me in the years ahead.
What interests me most about diesel technology is that there is always something new to learn. Technology continues to change, and technicians must constantly adapt and improve their skills. I enjoy learning new things and challenging myself, which makes this field a great fit for me. The transportation industry keeps the country moving, and diesel technicians play a huge role in making that happen. I look forward to gaining the skills and experience needed to work on heavy duty trucks and equipment.
My long term goal is to use both my diesel technology education and my business degree to grow within the industry and eventually move into a leadership position. I want to gain real experience in the field first and then use that knowledge to help lead others, improve operations, and make a positive impact on the company I work for.
This scholarship would help me purchase the tools and equipment I’ll need for my training. It would take some of the financial pressure off my family and help me focus on learning and preparing for my future career. Attending UNOH is a big step toward achieving my goals, and I am excited to get started. I appreciate the opportunity to apply for this scholarship and share why this career path is important to me.
Marvin Bozarth Memorial Scholarship
I am passionate about pursuing a career in the automotive and diesel industry because I have always enjoyed working with my hands, solving problems, and understanding how mechanical systems operate. Ever since I became interested in vehicles and equipment, I have enjoyed learning how engines work and what it takes to repair them correctly. I like the challenge that comes with diagnosing problems and finding solutions, and I take pride in seeing the results of hard work when equipment is repaired and operating the way it should. The automotive and diesel field is constantly changing and improving, which motivates me to continue learning and building my skills for the future.
After graduation, I plan to attend the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Business along with Heavy/Medium Diesel Technology. My goal is to work with Mack and Volvo diesel technology and eventually become a manager in the diesel industry. I want to build a successful career where I can continue developing my technical knowledge while also becoming a leader within the field. I understand that success in this industry requires dedication, patience, and a strong work ethic, and I am prepared to put in the effort necessary to achieve my goals.
One of the experiences that shaped me the most was losing my father when I was twelve years old. Going through that difficult situation at a young age forced me to mature quickly and become more resilient. It taught me how to handle challenges, stay focused during difficult times, and continue pushing forward even when life becomes hard. That experience helped me realize the importance of determination and perseverance, and those qualities continue to motivate me in school, work, and everyday life.
I believe I bring several important skills to the automotive industry, including responsibility, communication, patience, and determination. I currently work at Walmart as a cashier, where I have learned how to communicate with many different types of people, stay calm under pressure, and work responsibly as part of a team. Having a job while balancing school responsibilities has taught me discipline and time management skills that will continue to help me throughout my future career.
In addition to work and school, I stay involved in my community through volunteer work and leadership activities. I am part of Game Changers, a program where we speak to younger students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and encourage them to make positive decisions for their future. I have also completed around sixty volunteer hours at a nursing home, where I spent time helping residents and assisting in the kitchen. These experiences taught me patience, compassion, and the importance of helping others whenever possible.
I have also worked hard to prepare myself academically and professionally for the automotive field. I earned my OSHA 10 certification and scored a 70.2 on my NOCTI automotive test, which reflects my commitment to learning technical skills and improving myself. I believe my work ethic, resilience, leadership, and passion for diesel technology make me a strong candidate for this scholarship and for a successful future in the automotive industry.
Rob Novak Memorial Automotive Technology Scholarship
I chose to go into the automotive and diesel technology industry because I have always enjoyed working with my hands, solving problems, and understanding how mechanical systems operate. I like the challenge of diagnosing issues and finding solutions, and I enjoy seeing the results of hard work when equipment is repaired and running correctly again. Over time, my interest grew into a career goal, and I now plan to attend the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Business along with Heavy/Medium Diesel Technology. My long-term goal is to work with Mack and Volvo diesel technology and eventually become a manager in the industry.
My passion for diesel technology comes from both my interest in mechanics and my desire to build a stable and successful future. I understand that this career field requires dedication, technical knowledge, and a strong work ethic. I have already started preparing myself by earning my OSHA 10 certification and scoring a 70.2 on my NOCTI automotive test. I also currently work at Walmart, where I have learned responsibility, communication skills, and how to work well with others.
In addition to work and school, I stay involved in my community through volunteer work and leadership activities. I am part of Game Changers, where we speak to younger students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and encourage them to make positive choices. I have also completed around sixty volunteer hours at a nursing home, where I learned patience, compassion, and the importance of helping others.
This scholarship would support me by helping reduce the financial burden of college and allowing me to focus more on my education and career training. Receiving this award would help me continue working toward my goals and give me the opportunity to build a successful future in the diesel industry through hard work, determination, and perseverance.