Eight alumni of the EVIT Automotive and Diesel Technologies programs have each been awarded tools and toolboxes valued at $2,500 by the EVIT Education Foundation.

The students completed their career training at the East Valley Institute of Technology in May. They were selected to receive the tool boxes based on their attendance, grades and overall performance in their EVIT program.

“I am so happy to see our hard-working and dedicated students receive such a boost in their automotive careers,” said Steve Bernasek, Diesel Technologies instructor and team lead for EVIT’s Diesel, Automotive and Collision Repair programs. “As a former technician, I know how hard it is to accumulate the tools needed.”

A “Tools for Success” grant from the EVIT Education Foundation covered the cost of the toolboxes, including a wide assortment of high-quality tools graduates can use as they begin their careers in the auto industry. The foundation is a nonprofit launched in 2001 to help students of limited means pay their EVIT program fees. EVIT is tuition-free for East Valley high school students.

Alumni who received tool boxes included: Miguel Duran, Jason Ludders, Bryan Ulloa, Trevor Clements, Connor Clements, Jonathan Leih, Brian Womack and Ryan Pennacchia.

EVIT and the EVIT Education Foundation plan to continue to offer “Tools for Success” in the future as funding allows, and hope to increase the number of recipients in years to come.

EVIT is a public school providing over 40 career training programs for East Valley high school students and adults. EVIT students have a 98% high school graduation rate, two out of three go on to college, and approximately 94% are in jobs related to their training, college or the military within a year of completing their training. EVIT is still enrolling for the 2021-22 school year. To enroll, visit: www.evit.com/enroll