Arlington ISD celebrated a major milestone this week as students in the automotive technology program at the Dan Dipert Career + Technical Center (CTC) were awarded scholarships through the Ford Cowboys Tech Scholarship program. The event marked the third and final year of a unique collaboration between Ford Motor Company, the Dallas Cowboys, and Arlington ISD.
Students gathered at the CTC as Ford and Cowboys representatives – including former Cowboys player Joe Looney – joined together for the scholarship presentation.
Six students – Andres Aguayo, Juscianni Blackeller, Jeremiah Jordan, Milton Mejia, Kaela Kasper, and Zarajane Parker – were awarded $2,000 scholarships, and all automotive students received professional‑grade toolkits from Ford.
The scholarships and tools are a bonus on top of what the program has already provided, including industry workshops, mentorship experiences, and hands-on training with Ford technicians. The program also demonstrated to the students the growing need for skilled automotive professionals and the value of a career‑focused education.
“I’m just really thankful we have so many opportunities, and this is another great opportunity with Cowboys and Ford,” scholarship winner Juscianni Blackeller said. “It’s gonna help out a lot with the finances, so I’m really grateful for it, and I’m excited to get my career going.”
This partnership has provided students with hands-on automotive training, industry‑level tools, and real‑world experience designed to prepare them for high‑demand careers.
“Both the teachers for Auto 1 and Auto 2, I would not be here right now if it wasn’t for them,” scholarship winner Zarajane Parker said. “It’s awesome that they believed in me because that helped me believe in myself.”
The program at the CTC, paired with the partnership with two of the most recognizable brands in the area, has scholarship winner Milton Mejia ready for a career.
“This means a lot to me because my brother did it, too. He graduated, and my dad is a diesel mechanic,” Mejia said. “This class will actually impact you in the real world. You can learn so much in this class.”
As these students move on from high school, they’re prepared with skills that are in demand.
“Over the last 25 years, there’s been an erosion in skilled trades and workers going into these critically important fields,” said Tait Stephens, regional manager at Ford. “That’s why we’re here. We need to show the men and women that are considering going into these fields that it’s not just a job, it’s a career. It’s a career that you can be proud of.”
It’s also a career these students are ready for.