Makayla Schwartz, a junior at Sterling High School and a participant in the Secondary Automotive Technology program at Northeastern Junior College, has been named the Auto Tech Student of the Month by NAPA Auto and Truck Parts. Schwartz was chosen for the award based on her academic achievement in both the classroom and the lab environment.
The Secondary Automotive program is a joint venture between NJC and several school districts in this area whereby high school students are allowed to come onto the college campus to learn in a specialized automotive program.
Schwartz, who says she is enrolled in the program so that she can learn the basic skills related to upkeep and repair of a motor vehicle, works on her own car projects for the class. Most recently, she replaced brake pads on one vehicle and is currently in the process of rebuilding a 1977 Dodge Aspen. While she enjoys working on cars, she says that at this point in time, she aspires to become a vet tech after high school.
Makayla is the daughter of Steve and Leilani McPhie of Sterling. She received an engraved plaque and a $25 gift certificate from NAPA Auto and Truck Parts from Aaron Hettinger, the outside sales representative for NAPA.