Eight Chattahoochee Technical College students who are starting their careers in the automotive and diesel repair industry each recently received a Snap-on professional tool set valued at $5,500 from Alan and Claire Peterson, of Cobb County. For the past 16 years, the Petersons have awarded these tool sets to dozens of Chattahoochee Tech students in honor of their son, Mike Peterson.
The tool sets were presented to award recipients this year at the college’s Marietta Campus in a ceremony that was configured with staggered timing and social distancing because of the coronavirus pandemic. In order to be considered for this award, Chattahoochee Tech students had to be enrolled in the Automotive Technology, Diesel Equipment Technology, or Automotive Collision Repair program, and submit an award application that was reviewed by the Petersons. They also had to meet award GPA requirements, write an essay, and provide a letter of recommendation from a Chattahoochee Tech faculty member.
The 2020 Mike Peterson Memorial Award recipients are:
- Matthew Bridges, of Paulding County – Automotive Collision Repair Program
- Charles Garcia, of Forsyth County – Diesel Equipment Technology Program
- Alex Johnson, of Cherokee County – Automotive Technology Program
- Justin Messenger, of Pickens County – Automotive Technology Program
- Deena Shaw, of Cherokee County – Automotive Technology Program
- Victoria Sweeton, of Cobb County – Automotive Technology Program
- David Walker, of Cherokee County – Automotive Technology Program
- Dillon Wilhoit, of Bartow County – Automotive Technology Program
“It’s an incredible gift having the opportunity to receive a tool set like this,” said award recipient Victoria Sweeton. “People starting out in the industry have to save up for years and buy a little bit at a time to have something like this. The Petersons’ generosity for so many students is overwhelmingly perfect.”
