AUGUSTA — Town Fair Tire Foundation recently gave four $500 Toolships to students completing career and technical programs at Capital Area Technical Center and heading straight into the workforce. The toolship money may be used by the student for tools, equipment, uniform; any items that a student will need to get started in his/her career.

Kylie Bechard Contributed photo

Kylie Bechard of Whitefield attended the center for two years. Last year she completed the Medical/Veterinarian Terminology program. This year she completed the Certified Nursing Assistant program. She is a 2021 graduate from Erskine Academy in South China. She plans to go directly into the workforce and pursue a career in the medical field. She plans to use the Toolship to buy scrubs and medical equipment, such as a stethoscope. She also says she will need a newer car in the near future and this Toolship will help her invest in reliable transportation to get to and from work.

Brady Lucas Contributed photo

Brady Lucas of Augusta attended the center for two years in the Automotive Collision program. He is a 2021 graduate from Cony High School in Augusta.  He has been hired as a painter by Bath Iron Works. He plans to use the Toolship money to purchase tools he will need, such as a dual action sander, as well as personal protective equipment, such as boots.

Zakkary Roy Contribute photo

Zakkary Roy of Augusta attended the Firefighting program at the center. He is a 2021 graduate from Cony High School. He plans to travel out west and help fight wildfires. The Toolship will help him purchase personal protective equipment, such as fire resistant pants and shirts, a helmet, eye protection, gloves, and leather boots, as well as hand tools used in fighting wild fires.

Megan Wright Contributed photo

Megan Wright of West Gardiner attended the Automotive Technology program at the center. She is a 2021 graduate from Gardiner Area High School. She works on a dairy farm and plans to continue after graduation. The farm has 80 cows and she performs all jobs there, from cleaning stalls, to milking cows to haying fields. She said she quickly goes through boots and gloves and will use the Toolship to purchase those personal items, as well as better cold weather gear for herself.