RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — The Ohio Valley Automotive Aftermarket Association (OVAAA) has awarded three students scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year.

OVAAA awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Spencer Datko, Rocky River, Ohio. Datko plans to pursue a degree in engineering at The Ohio State University.

The association awarded two $250 scholarships to Hillary Lantz, Bellefontaine, Ohio, and Mitchell Miller, Gay, W.Va. Lantz plans to pursue a degree in biology at Ohio Northern University. Miller plans to pursue a degree in American Sign Language at Gallaudet University.

Applicants for its 2010-2011 awards were taken through the automotive scholarships’ website, www.automotivescholarships.com.

"The Ohio Valley Automotive Aftermarket Association is happy to help these students, in some small way, to pursue their goal of a college education," said Gary Murdock, president of OVAAA. "We heartily congratulate our winners and wish them the best in their future endeavors."

"OVAAA scholars are typical of the 375 outstanding applications we received this year," said Pete Kornafel, Chairman of the GAAS Scholarship Selection Committee. "Through the efforts of OVAAA and other regional associations, along with the supporters of the GAAS scholarship fund, we are able to assist these students pursuing their dreams of an automotive aftermarket career."

Along with OVAAA, collaborative efforts with state associations and other automotive groups include:

• Automotive Aftermarket Association of the Carolinas and Tennessee (AAACT)
• Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast (AAAS)
• Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS)
• Automotive Parts & Services Association (APSA)
• Automotive Parts and Service Association of Illinois (APSA of IL)
• Arizona/California/Nevada Automotive Wholesaler’s Association (CAWA)
• Kentucky / Indiana Automotive Wholesalers Association (KIAWA)
• Michigan Automotive Aftermarket Association (MAPA)
• New York State Automotive Aftermarket Association (NYSAAA)
• Wisconsin Automotive Part Association (WAPA)

Each of these other collaborating groups has their own criteria and selects their own recipients for their scholarships.

The GAAS Scholarship Committee recently announced that it is presenting awards to 86 U.S. students for the 2010-2011 academic year. In its 15-year history, the fund has presented awards to more than 1,500 students.

Additional scholarship funding comes from industry contributions from individuals, companies and foundations. Contributions can be made to the GAAS Scholarship Fund, c/o Susan Medick at AAIA, at (301) 654-6664, or [email protected].