March 2025 | Winchester, Virginia: At Marlow Auto Group, we don’t just talk about supporting our community—we get involved where it matters most. That’s why we were proud to participate in The Widget Cup 2025, an intense and inspiring design-and-build competition. The event brought together talented high school students from Frederick County, Clarke County, and Winchester Public Schools.
Held on April 10th and organized by the Frederick County Economic Development Authority (EDA), the Widget Cup challenged teams to build a practical solution—and do it quickly. For us, this wasn’t just about sponsorship. It was a chance to live out our values of innovation, community, and long-term relationship building through hands-on mentorship
What Is The Widget Cup 2025?
The Widget Cup is no ordinary school event. It’s a six-hour design sprint where student teams build real solutions for local organizations. This year’s challenge was clear and meaningful: Design and build a fully functional outdoor utility cart for Fremont Street Nursery in Winchester. The cart needed to help staff carry supplies, move plants, and streamline daily operations. After building and presenting their prototypes, students returned to their school shops to complete the final touches. These carts will be delivered to Fremont later this spring for actual use. This challenge required creative thinking, precision, and teamwork—all values we embrace in our day-to-day operations.
Marlow Auto Group on the Floor at The Widget Cup 2025
To support the students, Anthony Cox, Service Manager at Marlow Ford in Luray, volunteered as one of the event’s official “Resources.” These mentors worked directly with students to guide problem-solving, clarify rules, and offer technical advice. Anthony focused on helping students navigate real-world concerns like layout efficiency and safety features.
“Watching these students take a blank canvas and turn it into something usable in just a few hours was incredible,” said Anthony. “They weren’t just building—they were thinking through customer needs, adapting on the fly, and working as teams. That’s exactly what we do every day in the dealership.”
Celebrating Clarke County High School’s Win At The Widget Cup 2025
We’re proud to congratulate Clarke County High School for taking home the top honors at this year’s Widget Cup. Their design stood out for its simplicity, functionality, and user-focused solutions. But they weren’t the only success story. In total, nearly 40 students participated, each one impressing judges and community partners with their creativity and professionalism. For many of us at Marlow, it served as a reminder of just how bright the future workforce can be when equipped with the right tools and support.
Why This Reflects Our Core Values
This event matters to us—not just as a marketing moment, but as a reflection of who we are. We don’t see this as “giving back.” Instead, we view it as investing forward. These are the kinds of real-world opportunities that shape both futures and partnerships.
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Innovation: We saw students problem-solve, iterate, and deliver under pressure.
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Community: We worked with educators and nonprofits to improve a local organization.
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Relationships: We built connections with students who could one day be our teammates.
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Looking Ahead
The Widget Cup 2025 reminded us of something simple but powerful: when education meets opportunity, great things happen. We saw students light up with confidence. We watched them test their limits and build something real. Most importantly, we got to witness what’s possible when schools and businesses come together with shared purpose. To everyone who made this year’s event a success, thank you. We’re honored to be a part of it, and we’re already looking ahead to 2026.
About The Marlow Auto Group
At Marlow Auto Group, our involvement in community initiatives reflects more than just participation—it reinforces our deep commitment to our core values: community, integrity, and relationships. We believe in building meaningful connections that uplift individuals and strengthen the neighborhoods we serve. By investing in the next generation, we’re not only fostering personal growth, but also contributing to a stronger, more resilient workforce. This commitment reaches beyond our showrooms and service bays—it’s woven into everything we do. Whether it’s through hands-on mentorship, career-building opportunities, or partnerships with local organizations, we’re proud to be creating a lasting, positive impact. Interested in Connecting? We offer the following:
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Internships for students interested in sales, service, or marketing
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Career day visits at local schools
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Guided dealership tours for classrooms or student clubs
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Q&A sessions with professionals across all departments
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Together, we’re shaping careers and helping to build a brighter future for all. Stay tuned for updates on how we’re continuing to support our community and inspire the leaders of tomorrow. The Marlow Auto Group—Building Long-Term Relationships By Exceeding Expectations!
