Alyssa Williams, a student in the Auto Body Repair program at Greenville Technical College, was awarded first place honors in the LKQ Driving Force Hood Painting contest.
Williams was one of 22 students nationwide to submit drawings in the first round of competition. Ten drawings were selected to go on to the second round, in which contestants painted the car hood design. Three paintings were selected as winners, with Williams in first place.
Williams created a design that mimics a tattoo of a phoenix that was also her design and is inked on her back. The bird burns to ashes and is reborn, symbolizing the human spirit and its ability to overcome, Williams says.
A graduate of West Oak High School in Westminster, Williams was home schooled and needed an extra elective to graduate, so she chose an auto body repair course at her career center. Being in that class made her realize that she could see herself in that role every day, and her career decision was made.
For winning first place, she received a $1,000 check from LKQ. The money will be used to purchase a Supernova paint gun, which Williams will use on the job as she progresses from painter’s helper to painter.
LKQ Corporation (www.lkqcorp.com) is a leading provider of alternative and specialty parts to repair and accessorize automobiles and other vehicles. LKQ has operations in North America, Europe and Taiwan. The company offers its customers a broad range of replacement systems, components, equipment and parts to repair and accessorize automobiles, trucks, and recreational and performance vehicles.
The Auto Body Repair program at Greenville Technical College can put students on the road to a successful collision repair career with classroom preparation that is applied in hands-on training. The program provides required training in technologies, materials, and vehicle makes and models.