Rachel Fonseca, a senior at GNB Voc-Tech, won a $5,000 scholarship for winning a nationwide essay contest sponsored by the collision repair industry.

NEW BEDFORD – Rachel Fonseca, a Collision Repair Technology major at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, was the top winner in a nationwide essay contest sponsored by the collision repair industry. As a result, Miss Fonseca will receive a $5,000 scholarship to further her education.

The essay writing contest was sponsored by the I-CAR Education Foundation, in conjunction with Akzo Nobel Coatings, Inc. and The Most Influential Women of the Collision Repair Industry. A total of eight young women earned scholarships.

Rachel Fonseca won the top prize for all high school students in the country. Students from 359 career and technical schools and colleges were eligible to apply.

“I’ve known Rachel for three years,” said Lee Desrosiers, a Collision Repair Technology teacher at GNB Voc-Tech. “She’s shown aptitude and ability that’s equal to or beyond some of my best students. She continues to excel. I predict that she’ll be very successful in the industry.”

A New Bedford resident, Miss Fonseca plans to attend college in the fall.

At GNB Voc-Tech, she is a member of the local chapter of the National Honor Society and is ranked twelfth in the senior class of nearly 440. She has won academic awards from the school’s Renaissance program.

She has competed in soccer, ice hockey, and softball.

Last year, she placed third in collision repair in the Massachusetts SkillsUSA competition.

Collision Repair Technology is one of more than two dozen majors offered at GNB Voc-Tech. The program is certified by the National Automotive Technician Educational Foundation (NATEF) and by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

GNB Voc-Tech is an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Last year, more than 70% of the school’s seniors indicated that they planned to attend college or advanced technical schools upon graduation.