Sconda Blog

(photo caption: Matthew McDevitt (center) stands with (left to right) Darren Miller of PAA, his father Jim McDevitt, mother Kim McDevitt and Duke Scott.)

We finally got to see one of those giant, over-sized checks at Scott Honda and as they usually do, it went to a great cause!

Darren Miller, senior regional manager for the Pennsylvania Automotive Association (PAA), visited us recently bearing gifts. His jumbo check was for Matthew McDevitt, the son of Assistant Parts Manager, Jim McDevitt, who was the proud recipient of a $5000 scholarship to help him pursue his passion for automotive repair.

Matthew, who was sponsored by Scott Honda of West Chester for this scholarship, was one of five outstanding students from schools across Pennsylvania awarded this $5,000 a year scholarship from the PAA, an organization who represents over 900 franchised new car and truck dealers across the state.

According to PAA to be eligible for the Automotive Technology Scholarship, applicants must be currently enrolled in, or seeking enrollment in, an automotive technology program.  Applicants must demonstrate their interest in pursuing a career in automotive technology through their acceptance to an automotive training program and the support of a sponsoring Pennsylvania new car or truck dealer.

Matthew is currently enrolled at the Automotive Training Center in Exton, Pa. where he is studying Diesel Technology. He explains what drew him to this field, which has a great need for qualified technicians.

“When I was young, first I worked on lawn mowers, than cars, so I had small engines pretty well figured out.  So I thought bigger engines would be even more interesting, I figured bigger is better,” he told us.

Scott Honda has a longstanding relationship with PAA and Vice President Duke Scott is a current Board Member and President Craig C. Scott was the Chairman in 1999.

“Pennsylvania dealers, like Scott Honda, are dedicated and strong supporters of their communities,” said John Devlin, President of PAA. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to show our support for Pennsylvania’s students by awarding scholarships each year, and we view this program as an investment in these students’ future.”

Devlin went on to say, “A strong service department is crucial to the entire dealership’s success. The people working there must be problem solvers with excellent computer and math skills and technical aptitude. Because high growth and technological advances are expected in the field over the next ten years, the demand for Automotive Technicians is growing.”

It’s the problem solving that Matthew likes best.

“I pride myself on my ability to perform diagnostics as well as repairs,” he wrote in the essay submitted for the scholarship. “Not just asking ‘what’, but asking the all-important question ‘why’ (a part failed).  This expertise, to me, is the most important skill that a technician can posses.”

Matthew’s mother, Kim McDevitt, was not surprised at all by her son’s interest in taking things apart and rebuilding them.

“When he was 3-years-old he built a Grandfather Clock out of K’nex…and it worked!” she told Sconda Blog, laughing. “We are very proud of him.”

Matthew’s scholarship is renewable for $5,000 a year and therefore, could equal up to $10,000 if he maintains high enough grades.  “The cost of college is daunting for today’s students and their families. We wanted to recognize the hard work of these students with an award that provides substantial assistance to ease their financial burden,” Devlin concluded.

“We were honored to have sponsored such a smart, hard-working young man in Matthew,” Duke Scott said. “And we’re also very happy for his father Jim, who has been a loyal and very important member of the Scott Honda family for over 25 years!”