April 29, 2025, CRESTON, Iowa—Southwestern Community College (SWCC) automotive student Jarryn Stephens of Lorimor was honored as the 2025 SWCC Tech Achiever during a ceremony held at the college on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
Stephens was awarded a personalized Career Starter Tool Set, including a 41” toolbox roller cabinet, stocked with 410 hand, air, and electric tool items. The toolbox features decals of his favorite vehicle. Stephens also received Speedway Motors SWAG, Motorsports tools, and tickets to the Museum of American Speed in Lincoln, Nebraska.
According to his automotive program instructors, Stephens was selected for this award based on his exemplary performance during his time in SWCC’s automotive programs. Key factors under consideration for selection were exceptional attendance, good grades, excellent tool care, amazing character, and a strong work ethic.
Stephens, a May 2021 East Union High School graduate, earned a certificate for automotive repair technology in May 2022, a diploma in May 2023, and his Associate of Applied Science degree in June 2023. He continued on to earn a diploma in auto collision repair/refinish from SWCC in June 2024 and will complete the program, earning his Associate of Applied Science degree, in June 2025.
In early-April, he finished second in the state in post-secondary collision repair, during the 2025 SkillsUSA Iowa competition.
He is the son of Wade and Brandy Stephens Sick of Lorimor.
The SWCC Tech Achiever award is given annually to one or more deserving SWCC automotive students. The award was established in 2018 through SWCC’s Education Foundation by Nile Cornelison of Minneapolis, who attended SWCC (at that time known as Creston Junior College) from 1960-62. Cornelison started an automotive parts business in Creston and sold to auto enthusiasts across the Midwest. In 2014, he was elected to the SEMA Hall of Fame for his continuous training and hard work. It was 2015 when Nile sold his business and as he says, “moved into give-back mode.”
Photo courtesy of Charlie Roberts.
Pictured above (L to R): Jeff Magneson, SWCC auto collision repair/refinish instructor; Brandy Stephens Sick, Jarryn’s mother; Kevin Bills, SWCC auto collision repair/refinish lab assistant; Jarryn Stephens, SWCC 2025 Tech Achiever award recipient; Wade Sick, Jarryn’s father; Jeff Sorensen, SWCC automotive repair technology instructor; and Kole Vogel, automotive repair technology instructor.
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