Highland student Anthony “Truck” Jackson of Freeport is the recipient of a $2,000 2018 Collision Repair Education Foundation scholarship and a toolkit from the Sears Vo-Tech Tool grant. Jackson is a student in the Auto Body program. The scholarship is for school and living expenses while studying at Highland Community College. Jackson was presented the award during a morning class of college and CareerTEC students, highlighting for all the students an awareness of their opportunities if they continue with the program.
“Receiving these two awards means so much to me,” Jackson said. “I’m grateful and it helps cover my tuition so I can return to school in the fall. I tell my fellow students you get what you put into things, and for me, this is a life lesson.”
Todd Vacek, an auto body instructor, said the program is growing and is receiving attention for the many grants received from foundations across the nation. There have been seven awards given in the last four years to students in the Auto Body program at Highland Community College.
“Having one of our students recognized is great for our program,” Vacek said. “This is a team effort in our program to make it a success, and to have one of our students get the recognition is about what we offer, and it helps him offset costs with the Auto Body program.”