People in a garage.

Professional Automotive Tool Sets Presented to Eight Chattahoochee Tech Students Thanks to Mike Peterson Memorial Award

Eight Chattahoochee Technical College students who are starting their careers in the automotive and diesel repair industry each recently received a Snap-on professional tool set valued at $5,500 from Alan and Claire Peterson, of Cobb County. For the past 16 years, the Petersons have awarded these tool sets to dozens of Chattahoochee Tech students in honor of their son, Mike Peterson.

The tool sets were presented to award recipients this year at the college’s Marietta Campus in a ceremony that was configured with staggered timing and social distancing because of the coronavirus pandemic. In order to be considered for this award, Chattahoochee Tech students had to be enrolled in the Automotive Technology, Diesel Equipment Technology, or Automotive Collision Repair program, and submit an award application that was reviewed by the Petersons. They also had to meet award GPA requirements, write an essay, and provide a letter of recommendation from a Chattahoochee Tech faculty member.

The 2020 Mike Peterson Memorial Award recipients are:

  • Matthew Bridges, of Paulding County – Automotive Collision Repair Program
  • Charles Garcia, of Forsyth County – Diesel Equipment Technology Program
  • Alex Johnson, of Cherokee County – Automotive Technology Program
  • Justin Messenger, of Pickens County – Automotive Technology Program
  • Deena Shaw, of Cherokee County – Automotive Technology Program
  • Victoria Sweeton, of Cobb County – Automotive Technology Program
  • David Walker, of Cherokee County – Automotive Technology Program
  • Dillon Wilhoit, of Bartow County – Automotive Technology Program

“It’s an incredible gift having the opportunity to receive a tool set like this,” said award recipient Victoria Sweeton. “People starting out in the industry have to save up for years and buy a little bit at a time to have something like this. The Petersons’ generosity for so many students is overwhelmingly perfect.”

Justin Messenger and Alex Johnson receive tool sets.
Award recipient Justin Messenger is a 2019 graduate of Pickens County High School, and is employed by R&R Body Shop in Jasper. Award recipient Alex Johnson is a 2019 graduate of Pope High School in Cobb County, and is employed by Synergy Equipment in Kennesaw. Shown above, l-r, are Chattahoochee Tech Foundation Board of Trustees Member and Immediate Past Chair Jason Anavitarte, Justin Messenger, Alan Peterson, Claire Peterson, Alex Johnson, and Chattahoochee Technical College President Dr. Ron Newcomb.
Award recipients Charles Garcia and Matthew Bridges
Award recipient Charles Garcia, a graduate of South Forsyth High School, is employed by Braxton Automotive in Atlanta. Award recipient Matthew Bridges, a graduate of Paulding County High School, is employed by Ed Voyles Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Cobb County. Shown above, l-r, are Chattahoochee Tech Foundation Board of Trustees Member and Immediate Past Chair Jason Anavitarte, Charles Garcia, Claire Peterson, Alan Peterson, and Matthew Bridges.
Award recipients Victoria Sweeton and Deena Shaw
The automotive repair industry is for women too! Award recipient Victoria Sweeton, a graduate of Wheeler High School, is employed by Ed Voyles Honda while she attends college at Chattahoochee Tech. Award recipient Deena Shaw, who attended high school in Texas, also looks forward to a career in the automotive repair industry. Shown above, l-r, are Chattahoochee Tech Foundation Board of Trustees Member and Immediate Past Chair Jason Anavitarte, Victoria Sweeton, Alan Peterson, Claire Peterson, and Deena Shaw.
Award recipients David Walker and Dillon Wilhoit
Award recipient David Walker, who attended high school in Florida, and award recipient Dillon Wilhoit, a graduate of Cass High School in Bartow County, are both enrolled in the Automotive Technology program at Chattahoochee Tech. Shown above, l-r, are Chattahoochee Tech Foundation Board of Trustees Member and Immediate Past Chair Jason Anavitarte, David Walker, Claire Peterson, Alan Peterson, and Dillon Wilhoit.