By Bruce Rolfe
Natasha Renee Elliott, the daughter of Larry and Rhonda Elliott of Climax, not only had the pleasure of graduating from the Volkswagen Apprentice Program, she was the only female among 560 who graduated from the program at ceremonies that took place October 22 in West Virginia.
The 23-year-old 2020 G-A graduate was an employee of Sunshine Toyota Dealership for four years and is currently working as a certified mechanic at the Maple Hill Auto Group, Kalamazoo.
Elliott, currently residing in Galesburg, started the trade school program in April in Chicago and completed the program last month, passing the program with an 86 percent score.
Maple Hill Auto Group selected Elliot to participate in the program and paid for her trade school tuition along with other costs associated with the trade school program.
Completing the program allows Elliot to tudor others.
Elliot’s father, Larry, got his daughter interested in working on cars several years ago while she was still in high school.
Now, the Galesburg woman is following her dreams, which her parents support.
The Galesburg resident said it’s hard to believe just a year ago she was working as an express technician where she worked for three years with her previous employers and now she’s enjoying new opportunities with Maple Hill Auto Group.
“Maple Hill took a bet on me and I am ever so grateful to them for helping me take my career further,” said Elliott.
The G-A graduate said she is also grateful for the mentors she worked with.
She said the mentors and big supporters include Jeffrey D. Holden, a mechanic mentor from Sunshine Toyota in Battle Creek where Elliot worked for three years, Jeff Daniels, the Maple Hill Auto
Group Service director, Jordan Smith, her service manager at Maple Hill Auto Group, Jeffrey D. Holden, a mechanic mentor at Sunshine Toyota, and Collin Bates, Elliot’s current mechanic mentor at
Maple Hill Auto Group.
She also felt mentors and instructors during her college years made an impact, noting Larry Taylor, a mentor and a retired college instructor from Kalamazoo Valley Automotive Technology and Doug Martin, a mentor and current instructor of automotive technology at KVCC, were helpful.
“Not only did you teach automotive technology, you cared more than that and gave many of the students the direction we needed in our life if we were stuck or a little lost. When you get right out of high school, it can be difficult to know where you’re going,” said Elliot.
She said she has also enjoyed working along side her colleagues.
The 23-year-old certified mechanic adds it was extremely important to have support when going into a field that isn’t exactly known for a female workforce.
Natasha Renee Elliott, the daughter of Larry and Rhonda Elliott of Climax, not only had the pleasure of graduating from the Volkswagen Apprentice Program, she was the only female among 560 who graduated from the program at ceremonies that took place October 22 in West Virginia.
The 23-year-old 2020 G-A graduate was an employee of Sunshine Toyota Dealership for four years and is currently working as a certified mechanic at the Maple Hill Auto Group, Kalamazoo.
Elliott, currently residing in Galesburg, started the trade school program in April in Chicago and completed the program last month, passing the program with an 86 percent score.
Maple Hill Auto Group selected Elliot to participate in the program and paid for her trade school tuition along with other costs associated with the trade school program.
Completing the program allows Elliot to tudor others.
Elliot’s father, Larry, got his daughter interested in working on cars several years ago while she was still in high school.
Now, the Galesburg woman is following her dreams, which her parents support.
The Galesburg resident said it’s hard to believe just a year ago she was working as an express technician where she worked for three years with her previous employers and now she’s enjoying new opportunities with Maple Hill Auto Group.
“Maple Hill took a bet on me and I am ever so grateful to them for helping me take my career further,” said Elliott.
The G-A graduate said she is also grateful for the mentors she worked with.
She said the mentors and big supporters include Jeffrey D. Holden, a mechanic mentor from Sunshine Toyota in Battle Creek where Elliot worked for three years, Jeff Daniels, the Maple Hill Auto
Group Service director, Jordan Smith, her service manager at Maple Hill Auto Group, Jeffrey D. Holden, a mechanic mentor at Sunshine Toyota, and Collin Bates, Elliot’s current mechanic mentor at
Maple Hill Auto Group.
She also felt mentors and instructors during her college years made an impact, noting Larry Taylor, a mentor and a retired college instructor from Kalamazoo Valley Automotive Technology and Doug Martin, a mentor and current instructor of automotive technology at KVCC, were helpful.
“Not only did you teach automotive technology, you cared more than that and gave many of the students the direction we needed in our life if we were stuck or a little lost. When you get right out of high school, it can be difficult to know where you’re going,” said Elliot.
She said she has also enjoyed working along side her colleagues.
The 23-year-old certified mechanic adds it was extremely important to have support when going into a field that isn’t exactly known for a female workforce.
Natasha Elliott (right) is pictured with her instructor William Baldridge.
(Photo courtesy of Natasha Elliott)
“I have encountered many obstacles dealing with such, and thankfully Maple Hill shows an astounding representation to back their female techs and give everyone the support they need,” said Elliott.
“Looking forward to the journey ahead and putting my best foot forward,” adds Elliot.
The G-A graduate’s parents are also grateful for the support their daughter received from mentors and others she worked with.
The couple said their daughter appreciated how Holden, an experienced mechanic at Sunshine Toyota taught her a lot about the trade and guided her in the right direction when the job became difficult or when Natasha wasn’t certain about something.
“Jeff was always there to help her out and point her in the right direction and they became friends and she always looked up to Jeff for guidance. He taught her a lot while she worked at the Sunshine Toyota dealership,” said Rhonda.
Because COVID prevented Elliot from participating in a normal inside high school graduation ceremony, her parents are planning to host a celebration for her graduating from the apprentice program for family in November.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
