Collision Blast

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Rachel Fonseca’s Collision Repair Passion Story

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Rachel’s Passion

I’ve loved cars for as long as I can remember and working on them is my life. I graduated from Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational High School, in New Bedford, MA. and majored in Collision Repair. While at Voc I participated in SkillsUSA, becoming the first female in the 34 year MA state history to win gold in Collision Repair. And the only student ever to win double gold in Collision Repair & Automotive Refinishing. Moving on to place second in Collision at the SkillsUSA 2008 Nationals. I was lucky enough to be the recipient of the Women’s Industry Network’s 2008 NACE Scholarship.  Currently, I am employed as an Adult Education Instructor (teaching Collision Repair and Small Engine Repair) at Voc and as an assistant manager at an ice rink. Most of my free time is spent volunteering with Voc’s Collision program on the Curriculum Advisory Board and training current students for the SkillsUSA competition. I am currently attending the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth for my Business Degree and looking forward to finding my place in the Industry.

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Skills USA Champion Rachel Fonseca

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I had the opportunity to meet Rachel Fonseca while at NACE. After meeting Rachel, it was easy to see how she was a Gold Medal Champion at Skills USA state and Silver Medal Winner at Skills USA Nationals. Rachel’s perseverance to make things happen and favorable personality has opened many doors for her in the collision repair industry.

Rachel has loved cars for as long as she can remember and working on them is her life. She graduated from Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational High School, in New Bedford, MA, where she majored in Collision Repair.

While at Voc, Rachel participated in SkillsUSA, and then became the first female in the 34 year MA state history to win Gold in Collision Repair. She was also the only student ever to win double Gold in Collision Repair & Automotive Refinishing. She then moved on to place second in Collision Repair at the SkillsUSA 2008 Nationals.

Currently, Rachel is employed as an Adult Education Instructor (teaching Collision Repair and Small Engine Repair) at Voc and also an assistant manager at an ice rink. Most of her free time is spent volunteering with Voc’s Collision program on the Curriculum Advisory Board and training current students for the SkillsUSA competition. Rachel is also attending the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth to obtain a business degree.

It was a pleasure to meet Rachel and I wish her well on her bright future and endeavors. I would also like to thank Rachel for showing the other women out there that may be interested in technical education that it is possible to be successful in a male dominated industry.