Partnerships
Advance Auto Parts Scholarships Fuel Future Technicians
RALEIGH, N.C (June 2, 2026) – Five recent Wake County high school graduates are accelerating toward careers in the automotive industry, thanks to support from the Advance Auto Parts Foundation.
The students are pursuing training as skilled automotive technicians through Wake Tech's Automotive Systems Technology program at the Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence on Scott Northern Wake Campus.
The Advance Auto Parts Foundation Future Technicians Scholarship Program is designed to help address the growing shortage of automotive technicians in Wake County. Recipients are nominated by their high school guidance counselors and selected by Wake Tech. Each student receives a $5,000 unrestricted scholarship to help cover educational and living expenses, along with a one-time $600 stipend for tools needed to complete the program.
This year's scholarship recipients are:
- Diego Diaz, Cary High School
- Justin Andre Guerrero, Knightdale High School
- Bobby Dakotah Lineberger, East Wake High School
- Christopher Daniel Loeza Lopez, Southeast Raleigh High School
- Omar Pineda-Avila, Knightdale High School
The students are eager to expand their industry knowledge and turn their passion for working on cars into meaningful careers.
"I've always loved working on cars, and I'm excited to take that passion to the next level at Wake Tech," Pineda-Avila said. "This opportunity is helping me turn something I enjoy into a career I can be proud of."
"The Advance Auto Parts scholarship will give Omar the opportunity to build on his passion and pursue a long-term career in the automotive field," said Melvin Blackwell, Pineda-Avila's guidance counselor. "He is committed to continuous learning and takes pride in helping others. With the right training and support, I'm confident Omar will not only excel in the field, but also make a meaningful contribution to the automotive industry."
The Advance Auto Parts Foundation supports five Wake Tech automotive students each year. Its initial $250,000 investment funded scholarships, tools and equipment for DieHard tool rooms at the Hendrick Center. The foundation reinforced its commitment with an additional $10,000 contribution.
"Support from the Advance Auto Parts Foundation enables us to directly address the shortage in the automotive technician workforce," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. "We're extremely grateful for this partnership and for the foundation's continued investment in our students and programs."
The foundation is the philanthropic arm of Advance Auto Parts Inc., a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider serving both professional installers and do-it-yourself customers.
Wake Tech serves 400 students across its Automotive Systems Technology and Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology programs.
