Recent Maine West High School graduate Shree Patel was honored with the Monday Night Car Shows Scholarship to help continue his passion for automotive and learning.
Monday Night Car Shows is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-for-profit organization that operates not only to put on a car show, but to help get inspire young people to join the automotive industry and provide scholarships to help them pursue a career in automotive.
The scholarship awarded Patel $1,000 to help him on his journey to study manufacturing at Oakton Community College.
“This gentleman thinks outside the box,” said Rick Glickman, founder of Monday Night Car Shows. “As a matter of fact with his knowledge of engineering and prototypes, he designed his own gasket that they needed in one of their programs…made a prototype, and now that’s the gasket that they’re going to use in the school system.
“That’s the kind of minds we’re trying to encourage and give them money that they can go to school and carry on and help us in the future.”
Patel attended Des Plaines, Illionois- based Maine West’s automotive class during his junior and senior year, where he worked on his mechanical and leadership skills.
“In automotive classes, he often takes on a leadership role within his small groups. In this role, he ensures that work is not only completed, but completed in a professional, workmanlike manner. He frequently makes insightful contributions and is also confident enough to ask questions,” Timothy Heim, Maine West High School automotive instructor, wrote in his recommendation letter to Monday Night Car Shows Scholarship Committee.
Rick Glickman, founder of Monday Night Car Shows, often goes to schools with auto programs to help encourage students to pursue a career in automotive, be that a technician, engineer or marketing or sales person in the industry.
To receive a Monday Night Car Shows scholarship, seniors at area schools involved in the Monday Night Car Shows program must write an essay and have a letter of recommendation from an instructor, mentor or employer outlining why they should be considered for the scholarship.
“I don’t know what to say other than thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to try and get the money. Thank you,” said Patel at the car show.
