Schoharie Valley Region AACA Scholarship winners named

COBLESKILL - Capital Region BOCES students Jason Rosado, Austin Bulger, Andrey Kuropatkin, Darin Govel, and Zachary Trippany received this year’s Schoharie Valley Region-AACA scholarships and the Ernie Anderson Memorial Scholarship.

The Scholarships, awarded annually for thirteen years, are given to students who excel in the Automotive Technology program at the Schoharie Career/Technology Education Center and are either going on for further education in the automotive field or are going directly to work in an auto related job.

The Ernie Anderson Memorial scholarship was created in memory of a long time S.V.R. Member and proud owner of a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air. Prior to his passing in October, 2021, Ernie requested that any contributions made in his name be used to further the antique car club scholarships at BOCES. To honor that request, the Ernie Anderson Memorial Scholarship was established. Through the generosity of Ernie’s many friends and family, funds will be available to award this scholarship for years into the future.

Automotive Instructor Randal Barber Jr. says he is proud of all of his graduating seniors and wanted help from S.V.R. Members in the selection process. In May eight members reviewed cover letters and resumes from the majority of these students and conducted interviews in selecting this year’s recipients.

This years scholarship winners include:

Receiving the SVR scholarship for a student going on to college: Jason Rosado, from Esperance, will be attending the Universal Trades Institute in Orlando, FL. Although his work experience is with Schenectady County Soil and Water Conservation, and he plans a career in the auto industry, his mechanical abilities were handy as he kept their lawn mowers and string trimmers in good repair. He also enjoys working on his 2018 Chevy 1500 pickup.

These next students receiving the SVR scholarships and going directly into the work force and include: Austin Bulger from Cobleskill. Austin plans to continue his training and start his career at Cobleskill Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep where he has interned. He really likes old and antique cars and learning about how they have modernized over the years. He has already started his collection with a 1988 Chevrolet Silverado and a 1969 Dodge D100. Andrey Kuropatkin is from Esperance. Andrey will be starting his automotive career at Mohawk Honda. As a young boy he was inspired by how his father, grandfather and uncle worked together to solve problems with his grandfather’s van. His career goal is to work his way up to become a Master Technician. He is really interested in JDM cars with his eyes set on a 1993 Toyota Supra MK 4 or a Nissan 240z. Darin Govel is from Albany and is planning to broaden his skills and join the welding field, while continuing to build his skills in the automotive field as well. He plans on working part time in an automotive shop. He has been able to put his mechanical skills into practice while working at the Western Turnpike Golf course summers.

Receiving the Ernie Anderson Memorial scholarship and going directly into the workforce: Zachary Trippany who is from Rotterdam. Zachary has started his career by working at Capital Land Motors, a Subaru dealership, as an apprentice technician and wants to work toward becoming a full technician by taking advantage of training offered through manufacturers. He sees an older Subaru WRX in his future.

SVR Club president Bob Addis comments, “Congratulations to these fine students” and goes on to say: “our scholarship program was started over ten years ago as a way of recognizing young people with an interest and passion for cars who might one day take part in the antique car hobby.”

“Funds for the Scholarships have been generated by our annual July antique car show and direct contributions by friends and family of Ernie Anderson” explains Jim Batsford, Chair of the Scholarship Committee.

Club Treasurer Ted Sweet adds, “The Scholarships come in the form of $400 Snap-On Tool gift cards, because we want to give these young people something they can use for a lifetime.”

“As Show chairman I feel awarding these scholarships here not only enhances the show but also exposes our winners to some of the finest antique automobiles in the Northeast” observes Jim Snyder.

The Scholarship gift cards were presented at the 55th Annual Antique Auto Show July 12, held on the New York Power Authority grounds in North Blenheim, NY, where the students also get to pick their favorite car for the Students Choice Award.

SVR is a regional club of the Antique Automobile Club of America and meets the second Thursday of each month at the Cobleskill Elks at 6:30pm. All are welcome.

View the photo album of the event.