CREF Celebrates 2023 PiN Master Winners

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to celebrate the winners of the 2023 PiN Master Challenge, held in conjunction with FinishMaster’s Hood Master Challenge on September 22, 2023 at the Biltwell in Indianapolis, IN. Over 350 guests turned out to participate in this year’s event.

Congratulations to this year’s victors who won tools and equipment to help advance their careers:

• 1st Place: Ahryus Griffin, ‘Murica (GST BOCES Coopers Education Center; Painted Post, NY)

• 2nd Place: Julian Perez, Project Neon Razor (Duncanville High School; Duncanville, TX)

• 3rd Place: Kenny Rolle, Hot Fudge Sundae (Sheridan Technical College; Hollywood, FL)

• Wild Card: Kenny Rolle, Hot Fudge Sundae (Sheridan Technical College; Hollywood, FL)

“The 2023 PiN Master Challenge allowed collision students to demonstrate their skills – and showcase their talents – by designing and creating the best restored and painted bowling pin,” explained Tiffany Bulak, CREF Program Manager. “It’s vital that we take advantage of all possible opportunities to generate excitement around this industry and its viability as a career option for students to consider by spotlighting both the industry and the students studying collision repair in high school or college.”

The third annual iteration of this collaboration provided students with an opportunity to compete against each other for prizes, equipment and bragging rights by repairing, designing and painting retired bowling pins in an effort to showcase these students’ skills and to support the future of this industry. Further championing CREF’s mission to support collision repair educational programs, schools and students, FinishMaster also hosted the third annual Hood Master fundraiser, where industry supporters can bid on the beautifully artistic hoods and pins created by last year’s Hood Master and PiN Master competitors!

“This year, over 50 pins were entered into the competition, and FinishMaster raised a record-breaking $30,000 for CREF through the Hood Master fundraiser, where industry supporters bid on the beautifully artistic hoods and pins created by last year’s Hood Master and PiN Master competitors!” Bulak added.

“We’re excited to see PiN Master grow each year, and we urge industry professionals to encourage students they might know to showcase their talents. “We need to generate excitement around this industry and its viability as a career option for students to consider,” CREF Executive Director, Brandon Eckenrode encouraged. “Opportunities like this bring a spotlight to both the industry and the students studying collision repair in high school or college – that’s a win for everyone.”

Stay tuned for updates on the 2024 PiN Master Challenge as they become available at collisioneducationfoundation.org/pin-master-challenge.

Industry members interested in getting involved and supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist secondary and post-secondary collision repair training programs can Contact Us to learn about the many ways to get involved. Monetary donations can be made online.

The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation, visit us online at: www.CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org.

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If you would like more information about this topic or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email [email protected].