SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — GPS Insight announced the winners of the GPS Insight “You are the Reason” Skilled Trades Scholarship Program: Michael Lyons and Jacob Paquette. 

Both winners will be awarded $10,000 each for the pursuit of full-time skilled trades study at a college or accredited vocational-technical school in the 2023-2024 academic year. GPS Insight will also award three additional $500 scholarships for honorable mentions. Scholarship winners were nominated by GPS Insight customers. 

Lyons is from Scotrun, Pa., and currently attends the Pennsylvania College of Technology. Growing up watching his father and step-father fix their cars, he said he became fascinated with mechanics and decided that learning a skilled trade was the best route for his career. During his senior year of high school, Lyons tragically lost his father. 

“I have learned to work through some of the most difficult situations and not only to just get through them, but to come out a better person because of them. The trials I have faced have not caused me to be a victim of terrible circumstances but rather have molded me into a determined and focused student and worker,” said Lyons.

Lyons says he plans on focusing on mechanics, particularly aviation. He was nominated for the scholarship by Brandenburg Industrial Service Company. 

“We are incredibly proud of Michael for receiving this scholarship, and we are grateful for GPS Insight providing such a generous scholarship to students working toward a career in the trades,” said Joseph Righter, a representative at Brandenburg Industrial Service Company. 

Paquette is from Plantsville, Conn., and is a current high school senior planning to attend Bristol Technical Education Center; he plans to pursue a career in automotive technology. He says he enjoys working on all things mechanical and taking the time to figure out how they work. 

“I will be the first in my family to attend post-grad schooling, and this scholarship will make a big difference in my life,” Paquette said. “I’m looking forward to taking what I know and expanding my knowledge through a trade school so that I can use it to enter a career in automotive technology.”

Paquette currently has an internship at Good Guys Auto House in Southington, Conn.; the owners believe he will have a promising career in the automotive field. He was nominated for the scholarship by Meriden, Conn.-based Magnakleen Services. 

“I think this is a great opportunity for Jacob to further his education in a field that he truly enjoys,” said Jeff Palmer, a representative for Magnakleen. 

Honorable mentions and $500 scholarship awardees include Alexandra Zapien from Oakley, Calif., Briley Lehman from Grantsville, Ill., and Tyler Horsley from Scottsdale, Ariz. 

“GPS Insight is committed to building a positive culture in the industries we serve. Our customers are the reason we care, learn, and embrace change. The ‘You are the Reason’ Skilled Trades Scholarship Program has allowed us to provide these five students with an incredible opportunity as well as advance the capabilities and expertise of technicians across industries,” said Gary Fitzgerald, chief executive officer of GPS Insight. 

Learn more about this year’s winners at gpsinsight.com/skilled-trades-scholarship-student/.