Turning Auto Parts Into Hands-On Learning at Triplett Tech

November 3rd, 2026 | Mt. Jackson, Virginia: On November 3, Marlow Auto Group delivered two van loads of automotive parts to Triplett Tech in Shenandoah County. The donation gives students in Triplett Tech Automotive Programs more opportunities to learn and practice with real vehicle components. It included primarily bumpers and body panels, along with several mechanical parts. The materials were collected from Tri-State Nissan, Marlow Motor Company, and Marlow Ford. Instructors Ryan Judy and Johnny Grim plan to use the parts for hands-on training in plastic welding, painting, and dent repair.

Approximately 50 students participate in Triplett Tech automotive programs each year. Instructors expect the donated parts to provide training materials for about four years. That means the donation could potentially benefit approximately 200 students. The goal is simple: give students opportunities to practice automotive repair techniques on real parts before applying those skills in the workplace.

Hands-On Learning in Triplett Tech Automotive Programs

The donated bumpers and body panels are especially valuable for students learning collision repair. Students can work directly with vehicle components rather than learning these skills only through instruction. This gives them experience repairing the types of materials they may encounter during an automotive career. Triplett Tech’s Collision Repair Technology program covers plastics, welding, damage repair, metal finishing, and panel repair. That makes the donated parts a natural fit for the program.

The November 3 delivery took place during a teacher workday. Ed Sullivan, Brian Nieves, Steve Pumphery, and Dave Daugherty represented Marlow Auto Group. Instructors Judy and Grim were on hand to receive the parts and begin planning how they could be incorporated into future lessons.

“We really appreciate Marlow Auto Group donating these parts to our program. Having real automotive parts for our students to learn and practice on gives them valuable hands-on experience and helps prepare them for the skills they’ll need in the workplace. These parts will be put to good use for years to come.” — Johnny Grim, Triplett Tech Instructor

Supporting Triplett Tech Automotive Education

This was Marlow Auto Group’s first donation of automotive parts to Triplett Tech, but the relationship goes back much further. Ed Sullivan, Fixed Operations Director for Marlow Auto Group, serves on Triplett Tech’s advisory board. He regularly participates in meetings supporting the school’s career and technical education programs. Through that relationship, Sullivan saw an opportunity to provide usable automotive parts from Marlow’s three dealerships. He offered the parts to the school so students could learn and practice with them.

Marlow’s connection with Triplett Tech automotive programs can also be seen in its service departments today. Three current team members came through Triplett Tech before beginning their automotive careers with Marlow. Armando Holloway-Vicente and Elguin Alfaro work in the Service Department at Tri-State Nissan. Chris Settle works in Service at Marlow Motor Company.

Their paths are a reminder of why career and technical education matters. The bumpers, body panels, and mechanical components delivered in November are more than leftover auto parts. They are tools students can use to practice, make mistakes, develop their skills, and build confidence. Those experiences can help prepare students to take what they have learned into the workplace.

For Marlow Auto Group, supporting Triplett Tech automotive programs helps connect local education with future career opportunities. It also supports the next generation of automotive professionals in the Shenandoah Valley.

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