Plaza Tire Service and SKYCTC Foundation Award Automotive Scholarship to Standout Student Kesha Collins

SKYCTC Automotive Technology Student Kesha Collins (center) receives scholarship check from SKYCTC Advancement Development officer Chantal Allen (left) and Professor of Automotive Technology Jeremy Stephens (right)

BOWLING GREEN, KY — Plaza Tire Service, in partnership with the Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) Foundation, has awarded a $500 scholarship to automotive maintenance student Kesha Collins. The award recognizes Collins’s exceptional academic dedication and personal resilience as she pursues her passion in a traditionally male-dominated field. The scholarship aims to alleviate financial barriers, ensuring she can continue her education and achieve her long-term career goals. 

For Collins, the path to automotive maintenance is deeply personal. Inspired by her late brother and her father, who was also a mechanic, she chose this career path to build a stable future for her family. As a dedicated mother who recently took in her two great-nephews, Collins views her education as a way to set a powerful example for her four children.

"I come from a long line of people that have never really had much," said Collins. "I'm striving to do better for my kids. I'm hoping one day to own our home and maybe a shop."

Beyond her entrepreneurial dreams, Collins plans to use her education to give back to the community by teaching young people how to care for their vehicles. "I would like to offer preventative maintenance education to today’s youth before they leave high school," Collins shared. "Your vehicle plays a major role in your lifeline and future. It’s difficult to make money to provide for yourself and the people you care about if your wheels are at a standstill."  

Collins, who boasts a 3.92 GPA, is actively involved in the local automotive community as a member of the SOKY Street Rods. 

Earlier in the year, Plaza Tire Service & Sun Auto Tire & Service awarded a $500 scholarship to Genevieve Sundstrom, a collision repair student at SKYCTC.

Plaza Tire Service, a brand under the growing Sun Auto Tire & Service umbrella, is proud to support local students who drive community growth. By investing in passionate individuals like Collins, the company and the SKYCTC Foundation continue to strengthen the regional workforce and support the next generation of automotive professionals.

About Plaza Tire Service & Sun Auto Tire & Service
Plaza Tire Service provides comprehensive automotive maintenance and tire services. As part of Sun Auto Tire & Service, which has expanded significantly from 30 locations in 2017 to a major national footprint, the brand is dedicated to delivering reliable service and supporting the communities it serves.

About SKYCTC Foundation
The SKYCTC Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College. Through scholarships, partnerships, and advocacy, the Foundation helps students achieve their educational goals and fulfill workforce needs in the region.