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The Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG), an under-40 community of the Auto Care Association, announced its 2026 Next Step Program scholarship recipients for YANG programming at Auto Care Connect. The Next Step Program offers young automotive aftermarket professionals an opportunity to establish lasting involvement in the auto care industry.

The scholarship recipients will experience and engage in YANG programming at

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and Spring Leadership Days, part of Auto Care Connect week, all taking place May 11-14 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

2026 Next Step Program Scholarship Recipients

  • Tiffany Auyeung, Genuine Parts/NAPA
  • Shelby McLean, CRC Industries
  • Dina Nikocevic, Parts Authority
  • Samantha Schearer-Higdon, Schearer’s Sales & Service Inc.
  • Joseph Pedorenko, TERREPOWER
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Scholarship Benefits and Networking Opportunities

The scholarship covers the entire cost to attend the 2026 Auto Care Connect week and provides access to networking opportunities for each of the scholarship recipients. The Next Step scholarship recipients can participate in up to 25 meetings and network with more than 450 veteran industry leaders during this three-and-a-half-day program. “Next Steppers” will experience up-close how the association and various aspects of the industry work.

YANG Programming at Auto Care Connect

The

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programming at Auto Care Connect is tailored to young professionals in the auto care industry to facilitate building connections with peers, learning from industry experts and coming together as one collective industry by sharing the best of ideas and solutions for today’s automotive aftermarket industry challenges. This in-person event provides industry-focused programming opportunities to enhance leadership skills and knowledge of the industry.

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