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Tyler Ruiz

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

Hi, my name is Tyler Ruiz. I'm a senior in high school at Prairie Central in Fairbury IL. I have a 3.8 GPA and am interested in going to UTI (Universal Technical Institute) in Lisle IL. I would like to take their Automotive and Diesel mixed course, and hopefully their high-performance course too. I love anything to do with something that has a motor in it. Whether it be minibikes, boats, go-carts, motorcycles, cars, trucks or semis. I love working on them and learning how they function and work. What makes me a good candite is that I'm a visual and hands on learner. I love to get my hands dirty working on things. I'm not afraid of and know what hard work is. I can think clearly and precisely in stressful situations. I am also currently in LACC's (Livingston County Career Center) Automotive and Diesel mixed course. It is a two-year program, and this is the final year. Upon completion and graduation, I would like to further pursue this industry.

Education

Prairie Central High School

High School
2021 - 2026

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Trade School

  • Majors of interest:

    • Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Automotive

    • Dream career goals:

      My long term goals are to some day open my own Automotive and Diesel shop where people can get everything from tire repairs or replacements to roadside mobile mechanic service, collision or accident repairs, bolt on parts modifications, overhauls, motor and transmission swaps, drivetrain swaps and body/chassis swaps done fast and right for a reasonable price.

    • shadowed under another Technician

      Heller motors in Pontiac Illinois
      2025 – Present1 year

    Sports

    Soccer

    Junior Varsity
    2021 – 2021

    Research

    • Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians, Other

      LACC (Livingston Area Career Center) — Learned and obtained experience
      2024 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      LACC (Livingston Area Career Center) — To inform the public of our school and it's class's
      2024 – 2024
    • Volunteering

      LACC (Livingston Area Career Center) — To inform future students about or class and the things that they'll learn and experience in our class.
      2025 – 2025
    Patriot Metals Future Builders Scholarship
    Hi, my name is Tyler Ruiz. I am currently a senior at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury Illinois and would like to pursue an Automotive Trade School after graduation. I have been looking into going to Universal Technical Institute in Lisle, IL. I am in my second year of an Automotive and Diesel Technology course through Livingston Area Career Center. Last year I went to Skills USA which was sponsored by Caterpillar and placed 15th in the state of Illinois in Heavy Diesel Equipment Technology. This year I was offered an internship through Livingston Area Career Center and have been interning at a local dealership, Heller Motors twice a week. Upon completion of Trade School at Universal Technical Institute to further my education and knowledge I plan to work at a dealership for a few years to build my knowledge and further hone my skills in the Automotive Industry. Automotive Technology is constantly changing and advancing, and I feel this would help me long term to achieve my own personal goals. Ultimately, I would like to open my own repair shop and also provide roadside assistance to help serve local residents and/or travelers as I come from a rural area where everything is a half hour or more drive to get to. I love the Automotive industry because I enjoy the challenges of narrowing in on what exactly is wrong and how to go about fixing it. I love doing this because to me the Automotive side is an easier to learn and grasp side of the mechanic world. It also gives me a sense of pride to know that I got my hands dirty while helping to better extend the life and use of a vehicle used on the road. Many people rely on their vehicles to get to work to provide for their families and also to get to and from places. I also believe there is more of a need to assist my local community because there are only more and more vehicles going on the road every day and there is less and less mechanics able to repair and fix these vehicles. Another factor is the inconvenience of having to travel to get to anything. While living in these rural communities is nice, when a vehicle breaks down or requires immediate repairs, then you are looking at additional costs to have it towed to the nearest town that has these services available. My hope is to be able to provide a localized service that would better assist the people in my immediate area.
    Russell Koci Skilled Trade Scholarship
    Hi, my name is Tyler Ruiz. I am currently a senior at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury Illinois and would like to pursue an Automotive Trade School after graduation. I have been looking into going to Universal Technical Institute in Lisle, IL. I am in my second year of an Automotive and Diesel Technology course through Livingston Area Career Center. Last year I went to Skills USA which was sponsored by Caterpillar and placed 15th in the state of Illinois in Heavy Diesel Equipment Technology. This year I was offered an internship through Livingston Area Career Center and have been interning at a local dealership, Heller Motors twice a week. Upon completion of Trade School at Universal Technical Institute to further my education and knowledge I plan to work at a dealership for a few years to build my knowledge and further hone my skills in the Automotive Industry. Automotive Technology is constantly changing and advancing, and I feel this would help me long term to achieve my own personal goals. Ultimately, I would like to open my own repair shop and also provide roadside assistance to help serve local residents and/or travelers as I come from a rural area where everything is a half hour or more drive to get to. I love the Automotive industry because I enjoy the challenges of narrowing in on what exactly is wrong and how to go about fixing it. I love doing this because to me the Automotive side is an easier to learn and grasp side of the mechanic world. It also gives me a sense of pride to know that I got my hands dirty while helping to better extend the life and use of a vehicle used on the road. Many people rely on their vehicles to get to work to provide for their families and also to get to and from places. I also believe there is more of a need to assist my local community because there are only more and more vehicles going on the road every day and there is less and less mechanics able to repair and fix these vehicles. Another factor is the inconvenience of having to travel to get to anything. While living in these rural communities is nice, when a vehicle breaks down or requires immediate repairs, then you are looking at additional costs to have it towed to the nearest town that has these services available. My hope is to be able to provide a localized service that would better assist the people in my immediate area.
    Joe Ford Trade Scholarship
    Hi, my name is Tyler Ruiz. I am currently a senior at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury Illinois and would like to pursue an Automotive Trade School after graduation. I have been looking into going to Universal Technical Institute in Lisle, IL. I am in my second year of an Automotive and Diesel Technology course through Livingston Area Career Center. Last year I went to Skills USA which was sponsored by Caterpillar and placed 15th in the state of Illinois in Heavy Diesel Equipment Technology. This year I was offered an internship through Livingston Area Career Center and have been interning at a local dealership, Heller Motors twice a week. Upon completion of Trade School at Universal Technical Institute to further my education and knowledge I plan to work at a dealership for a few years to build my knowledge and further hone my skills in the Automotive Industry. Automotive Technology is constantly changing and advancing, and I feel this would help me long term to achieve my own personal goals. Ultimately, I would like to open my own repair shop and also provide roadside assistance to help serve local residents and/or travelers as I come from a rural area where everything is a half hour or more drive to get to. I love the Automotive industry because I enjoy the challenges of narrowing in on what exactly is wrong and how to go about fixing it. I love doing this because to me the Automotive side is an easier to learn and grasp side of the mechanic world. It also gives me a sense of pride to know that I got my hands dirty while helping to better extend the life and use of a vehicle used on the road. Many people rely on their vehicles to get to work to provide for their families and also to get to and from places. I also believe there is more of a need to assist my local community because there are only more and more vehicles going on the road every day and there is less and less mechanics able to repair and fix these vehicles. Another factor is the inconvenience of having to travel to get to anything. While living in these rural communities is nice, when a vehicle breaks down or requires immediate repairs, then you are looking at additional costs to have it towed to the nearest town that has these services available. My hope is to be able to provide a localized service that would better assist the people in my immediate area.
    Allen Schwinkendorf Memorial Scholarship
    Hi, my name is Tyler Ruiz. I am currently a senior at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury Illinois and would like to pursue an Automotive Trade School after graduation. I have been looking into going to Universal Technical Institute in Lisle, IL. I am in my second year of an Automotive and Diesel Technology course through Livingston Area Career Center. Last year I went to Skills USA which was sponsored by Caterpillar and placed 15th in the state of Illinois in Heavy Diesel Equipment Technology. This year I was offered an internship through Livingston Area Career Center and have been interning at a local dealership, Heller Motors twice a week. Upon completion of Trade School at Universal Technical Institute to further my education and knowledge I plan to work at a dealership for a few years to build my knowledge and further hone my skills in the Automotive Industry. Automotive Technology is constantly changing and advancing, and I feel this would help me long term to achieve my own personal goals. Ultimately, I would like to open my own repair shop and also provide roadside assistance to help serve local residents and/or travelers as I come from a rural area where everything is a half hour or more drive to get to. I love the Automotive industry because I enjoy the challenges of narrowing in on what exactly is wrong and how to go about fixing it. I love doing this because to me the Automotive side is an easier to learn and grasp side of the mechanic world. It also gives me a sense of pride to know that I got my hands dirty while helping to better extend the life and use of a vehicle used on the road. Many people rely on their vehicles to get to work to provide for their families and also to get to and from places. I also believe there is more of a need to assist my local community because there are only more and more vehicles going on the road every day and there is less and less mechanics able to repair and fix these vehicles. Another factor is the inconvenience of having to travel to get to anything. While living in these rural communities is nice, when a vehicle breaks down or requires immediate repairs, then you are looking at additional costs to have it towed to the nearest town that has these services available. My hope is to be able to provide a localized service that would better assist the people in my immediate area.
    Grover Scholarship Fund
    Hi, my name is Tyler Ruiz. I am currently a senior at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury Illinois and would like to pursue an Automotive Trade School after graduation. I have been looking into going to Universal Technical Institute in Lisle, IL. I am in my second year of an Automotive and Diesel Technology course through Livingston Area Career Center. Last year I went to Skills USA which was sponsored by Caterpillar and placed 15th in the state of Illinois in Heavy Diesel Equipment Technology. This year I was offered an internship through Livingston Area Career Center and have been interning at a local dealership, Heller Motors twice a week. Upon completion of Trade School at Universal Technical Institute to further my education and knowledge I plan to work at a dealership for a few years to build my knowledge and further hone my skills in the Automotive Industry. Automotive Technology is constantly changing and advancing, and I feel this would help me long term to achieve my own personal goals. Ultimately, I would like to open my own repair shop and also provide roadside assistance to help serve local residents and/or travelers as I come from a rural area where everything is a half hour or more drive to get to. I love the Automotive industry because I enjoy the challenges of narrowing in on what exactly is wrong and how to go about fixing it. I love doing this because to me the Automotive side is an easier to learn and grasp side of the mechanic world. It also gives me a sense of pride to know that I got my hands dirty while helping to better extend the life and use of a vehicle used on the road. Many people rely on their vehicles to get to work to provide for their families and also to get to and from places. I also believe there is more of a need to assist my local community because there are only more and more vehicles going on the road every day and there is less and less mechanics able to repair and fix these vehicles. Another factor is the inconvenience of having to travel to get to anything. While living in these rural communities is nice, when a vehicle breaks down or requires immediate repairs, then you are looking at additional costs to have it towed to the nearest town that has these services available. My hope is to be able to provide a localized service that would better assist the people in my immediate area.
    Judah Spinner Scholarship
    Hi, my name is Tyler Ruiz. I am currently a senior at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury Illinois and would like to pursue an Automotive Trade School after graduation. I have been looking into going to Universal Technical Institute in Lisle, IL. I am in my second year of an Automotive and Diesel Technology course through Livingston Area Career Center. Last year I went to Skills USA which was sponsored by Caterpillar and placed 15th in the state of Illinois in Heavy Diesel Equipment Technology. This year I was offered an internship through Livingston Area Career Center and have been interning at a local dealership, Heller Motors twice a week. Upon completion of Trade School to further my education and knowledge I plan to work at a dealership for a few years to build my knowledge and further hone my skills in the Automotive Industry. Automotive Technology is constantly changing and advancing, and I feel this would help me long term to achieve my own personal goals. Ultimately, I would like to open my own repair shop and also provide roadside assistance to help serve local residents and/or travelers as I come from a rural area where everything is a half hour or more drive to get to. I love the Automotive industry because I enjoy the challenges of narrowing in on what exactly is wrong and how to go about fixing it. I love doing this because to me the Automotive side is an easier to learn and grasp side of the mechanic world. It also gives me a sense of pride to know that I got my hands dirty while helping to better extend the life and use of a vehicle used on the road.
    Tim Williams Automotive Student Scholarship
    Hi, my name is Tyler Ruiz. I am currently a senior at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury Illinois and would like to pursue an Automotive Trade School after graduation. I have been looking into going to Universal Technical Institute in Lisle, IL. I am in my second year of an Automotive and Diesel Technology course through Livingston Area Career Center. Last year I went to Skills USA which was sponsored by Caterpillar and placed 15th in the state of Illinois in Heavy Diesel Equipment Technology. This year I was offered an internship through Livingston Area Career Center and have been interning at a local dealership, Heller Motors twice a week. Upon completion of Trade School to further my education and knowledge I plan to work at a dealership for a few years to build my knowledge and further hone my skills in the Automotive Industry. Automotive Technology is constantly changing and advancing, and I feel this would help me long term to achieve my own personal goals. Ultimately, I would like to open my own repair shop and also provide roadside assistance to help serve local residents and/or travelers as I come from a rural area where everything is a half hour or more drive to get to. I love the Automotive industry because I enjoy the challenges of narrowing in on what exactly is wrong and how to go about fixing it. I love doing this because to me the Automotive side is an easier to learn and grasp side of the mechanic world. It also gives me a sense of pride to know that I got my hands dirty while helping to better extend the life and use of a vehicle used on the road. Many people rely on their vehicles to get to work to provide for their families and also to get to and from places. I also believe there is more of a need to assist my local community because there are only more and more vehicles going on the road every day and there is less and less mechanics able to repair and fix these vehicles. Another factor is the inconvenience of having to travel to get to anything. While living in these rural communities is nice, when a vehicle breaks down or requires immediate repairs, then you are looking at additional costs to have it towed to the nearest town that has these services available. My hope is to be able to provide a localized service that would better assist the people in my immediate area.
    Uniball's Skilled Trades Scholarship
    Hi, my name is Tyler Ruiz. I am currently a senior at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury Illinois and would like to pursue an Automotive Trade School after graduation. I have been looking into going to Universal Technical Institute in Lisle, IL. I am in my second year of an Automotive and Diesel Technology course through Livingston Area Career Center. Last year I went to Skills USA which was sponsored by Caterpillar and placed 15th in the state of Illinois in Heavy Diesel Equipment Technology. This year I was offered an internship through Livingston Area Career Center and have been interning at a local dealership, Heller Motors twice a week. Upon completion of Trade School to further my education and knowledge I plan to work at a dealership for a few years to build my knowledge and further hone my skills in the Automotive Industry. Automotive Technology is constantly changing and advancing, and I feel this would help me long term to achieve my own personal goals. Ultimately, I would like to open my own repair shop and also provide roadside assistance to help serve local residents and/or travelers as I come from a rural area where everything is a half hour or more drive to get to. I love the Automotive industry because I enjoy the challenges of narrowing in on what exactly is wrong and how to go about fixing it. I love doing this because to me the Automotive side is an easier to learn and grasp side of the mechanic world. It also gives me a sense of pride to know that I got my hands dirty while helping to better extend the life and use of a vehicle used on the road. Many people rely on their vehicles to get to work to provide for their families and also to get to and from places. I also believe there is more of a need to assist my local community because there are only more and more vehicles going on the road every day and there is less and less mechanics able to repair and fix these vehicles. Another factor is the inconvenience of having to travel to get to anything. While living in these rural communities is nice, when a vehicle breaks down or requires immediate repairs, then you are looking at additional costs to have it towed to the nearest town that has these services available. My hope is to be able to provide a localized service that would better assist the people in my immediate area.
    Bick Vocational/Trade School Scholarship
    Hi, my name is Tyler Ruiz. I am currently a senior at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury Illinois and would like to pursue an Automotive Trade School after graduation. I have been looking into going to Universal Technical Institute in Lisle, IL. I am in my second year of an Automotive and Diesel Technology course through Livingston Area Career Center. Last year I went to Skills USA which was sponsored by Caterpillar and placed 15th in the state of Illinois in Heavy Diesel Equipment Technology. This year I was offered an internship through Livingston Area Career Center and have been interning at a local dealership, Heller Motors twice a week. Upon completion of Trade School to further my education and knowledge I plan to work at a dealership for a few years to build my knowledge and further hone my skills in the Automotive Industry. Automotive Technology is constantly changing and advancing, and I feel this would help me long term to achieve my own personal goals. Ultimately, I would like to open my own repair shop and also provide roadside assistance to help serve local residents and/or travelers as I come from a rural area where everything is a half hour or more drive to get to. I love the Automotive industry because I enjoy the challenges of narrowing in on what exactly is wrong and how to go about fixing it. I love doing this because to me the Automotive side is an easier to learn and grasp side of the mechanic world. It also gives me a sense of pride to know that I got my hands dirty while helping to better extend the life and use of a vehicle used on the road. Many people rely on their vehicles to get to work to provide for their families and also to get to and from places. I also believe there is more of a need to assist my local community because there are only more and more vehicles going on the road every day and there is less and less mechanics able to repair and fix these vehicles. Another factor is the inconvenience of having to travel to get to anything. While living in these rural communities is nice, when a vehicle breaks down or requires immediate repairs, then you are looking at additional costs to have it towed to the nearest town that has these services available. My hope is to be able to provide a localized service that would better assist the people in my immediate area.
    Richard (Dunk) Matthews II Scholarship
    Hi, my name is Tyler Ruiz. I am currently a senior at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury Illinois and would like to pursue an Automotive Trade School after graduation. I have been looking into going to Universal Technical Institute in Lisle, IL. I am in my second year of an Automotive and Diesel Technology course through Livingston Area Career Center. Last year I went to Skills USA which was sponsored by Caterpillar and placed 15th in the state of Illinois in Heavy Diesel Equipment Technology. This year I was offered an internship through Livingston Area Career Center and have been interning at a local dealership, Heller Motors twice a week. Upon completion of Trade School to further my education and knowledge I plan to work at a dealership for a few years to build my knowledge and further hone my skills in the Automotive Industry. Automotive Technology is constantly changing and advancing, and I feel this would help me long term to achieve my own personal goals. Ultimately, I would like to open my own repair shop and also provide roadside assistance to help serve local residents and/or travelers as I come from a rural area where everything is a half hour or more drive to get to. I love the Automotive industry because I enjoy the challenges of narrowing in on what exactly is wrong and how to go about fixing it. I love doing this because to me the Automotive side is an easier to learn and grasp side of the mechanic world. It also gives me a sense of pride to know that I got my hands dirty while helping to better extend the life and use of a vehicle used on the road. Many people rely on their vehicles to get to work to provide for their families and also to get to and from places. I also believe there is more of a need to assist my local community because there are only more and more vehicles going on the road every day and there is less and less mechanics able to repair and fix these vehicles. Another factor is the inconvenience of having to travel to get to anything. While living in these rural communities is nice, when a vehicle breaks down or requires immediate repairs, then you are looking at additional costs to have it towed to the nearest town that has these services available. My hope is to be able to provide a localized service that would better assist the people in my immediate area.