Tech-Payments and NWACA Reno – Sparks Chapter Award Second Annual Scholarship
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Tech-Payments and NWACA Reno – Sparks Chapter Award Second Annual Scholarship
Reno, NV — Tech-Payments and the Northwest Auto Care Alliance (NWACA) Reno – Sparks Chapter are thrilled to announce the second recipient of their annual scholarship for the Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) automotive services program. Yareni Hau Than, a part-time student in TMCC’s Automotive Services Program, has been awarded the scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The scholarship initiative is made possible through the generous contributions of Tech-Payments clients who are also members of the NWACA Reno – Sparks Chapter. Tech-Payments donates $250 annually on behalf of each participating member. This year, the combined efforts of several auto repair shops resulted in a total donation of $2,750 to fund the scholarship.
Yareni Hau Than exemplifies hard work and perseverance. As a part-time student and part-time worker, she puts in 30 hours a week at her job, starting each day at 5:00 AM. Earning around $20,000 annually, she diligently budgets her income to cover tuition, her phone bill, and savings toward her first car—all while maintaining a solid 3.281 GPA in her coursework.
Receiving this scholarship will have a profound impact on Yareni Hau Than’s educational journey. She expressed that the financial award will allow her to reduce her work hours and focus more on her studies. “It’s not easy balancing a 5:00 AM job with college classes, so this scholarship is a huge relief,” Yareni said. “Now I can cut back my hours at work and devote more time to my education, bringing me closer to achieving my goals.” With less financial strain, Yareni plans to take additional classes to stay on track with her graduation plan.
Looking ahead, Yareni has clear and ambitious goals in the automotive industry. She intends to begin her career working as a technician at a dealership or high-end repair shop to gain broad experience, and she plans to pass her ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification exams along the way. Ultimately, Yareni aspires to open her own auto repair shop, becoming one of the few women owners in the field.
In addition to her personal career ambitions, Yareni is passionate about giving back to the community. She has expressed interest in mentoring other aspiring technicians—particularly those who face challenges in entering the industry—and hopes to create opportunities for them to succeed. She also looks forward to dedicating time to a personal project: building her dream project car as a way to further hone her skills and inspire others with what she can accomplish.
“Yareni’s dedication to her education and passion for the automotive field are exactly what this scholarship program was designed to support,” said Tracy Franks, Founder and CEO of Tech-Payments. “We are proud to partner with NWACA to help talented students like her overcome financial barriers, and we look forward to seeing her succeed as a future leader in the industry.”
Tech-Payments and the NWACA Reno – Sparks Chapter are proud to support Yareni’s journey and are confident that she will make a significant impact in the automotive industry.
For further information, please contact:
Tech-Payments
Tracy Franks
Email: tracy.franks@tech-payments.com
Phone: (425) 365-0532 ext. 4
Northwest Auto Care Alliance (NWACA)
Brenda Wolslegel
Email: brenda@nwautocare.org
Phone: (253) 676-9222
About Tech-Payments
Tech-Payments is a leading provider of payment solutions, dedicated to supporting the automotive industry through various initiatives, including educational scholarships. Visit www.tech-payments.com for more information.
About NWACA Reno – Sparks Chapter
The Northwest Auto Care Alliance (NWACA) Reno – Sparks Chapter is committed to fostering excellence in the automotive service industry through member support and community engagement. Learn more at www.nwautocare.org.