Gael Padilla grew up with two brothers in a single parent household in Oakland.   The family car wasn’t always very reliable, and he still remembers how much his mom appreciated all the help that she received keeping the family car running.  Gael helped out his family whenever he could–including with car repairs–and saved up to purchase his first car as a senior in high school.   He’s been interested in car repair ever since.   He’s currently working part-time as a Smog Technician in Oakland, and he’s excited about the many opportunities he’ll have as an automotive technician after graduation from COA’s Atech program.

The Ozzie Day Scholarship is a $750 scholarship, which is awarded by the Atech Department to the student with the highest grade point average and the most units in the Atech Program.  The scholarship was set up in memory of Ozzie Day, the founder of Automotive Engineering and a long-time member of the COA Automotive Advisory committee.