Auto tech student receives $9,000 tool scholarship from Sonic

For someone wanting to repair and maintain commercial vehicles, there are a couple barriers to entry. For example, buying your own tools can make life tough on a new tech. But Sonic Tools just made that easier for Creed Crocket, a student at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Irving, Texas.

Crocket received a comprehensive set of hand tools with a retail value of up to $9,000 as part of Sonic’s inaugural Impact Scholarship Program. More specifically, he received the Sonic 255-pc Basic Automotive Toolset and Next S12 XD Toolbox.

“This toolbox and toolset both are an incredible foundation to my day-to-day jobs,” Crocket said. “It allows me to feel equipped and less overwhelmed.”

Four additional students in the aviation repair field also received the scholarship, including tools curated for their trade.

UTI student Creed Crocket with his new toolbox provided by Sonic Tools.

Tools for his future

The 19-year-old first started at UTI in July 2024, and will be able to use his tools not only for his studies, but for his work at Denton Mazda. And according to Sonic CEO Colby McConnell, it was partially Crocket’s drive to gain professional experience that helped push him over the top to receive the scholarship.

“What stood out there was, not only is he seeming to be a hustler, but also he's got a goal and [is] trying to put himself on a good path for life,” McConnell commented.

And this hustle is one that Crocket has possessed since high school. While he initially planned to follow his father and brother into the HVAC repair and service business, Crocket changed his mind after a UTI representative gave a presentation on what the school had to offer. After that, Crocket started finding free lawn mowers on Facebook Marketplace, fixing them up with directions from YouTube and then reselling them.

This showed his “entrepreneurial spirit,” from early on, McConnell said. And he kept that spirit after starting at UTI last year, with Crocket’s progress at school also convincing the company that he was worth investing in. Currently, Crocket is considering his specialization after a year in school and is leaning towards attending Manufactured-Specific Advanced Training for Toyota/Lexus.

“…He's already advancing into a more advanced program,” McConnell commented. “He's already working in the industry, so he knows what it takes to actually accomplish the job every day.”

Looking ahead, Crocket said he plans to move to Florida to work while his girlfriend finishes her degree, after which he is considering opening up his own automotive shop in Texas. But in the meantime, Crocket said he was looking for a shop that’s not only offering great pay, but insurance, retirement benefits, 401K matching, vacation time, and advancement in the field.

“I want a company that appreciates loyalty so much so that they don't have to tell me, but I feel it,” Crocket asserted.

Equipping the next generation of techs

Now that the company has finished up its first round of tool assistance, Sonic is offering five more scholarships in November, 2025, for exceptional automotive, aviation, and manufacturing students. For this second round, the deadline to apply is October 31. To apply, students must submit proof of enrollment at a technical school; an instructor recommendation letter; a 500-word essay on how they exemplify passion, accountability, collaboration, experience, and making an impact; and a short video describing how Sonic's tools will advance their career goals.

Additionally, Sonic is offering free tools for established techs, too. From July 1 through July 6, Sonic is holding an Independence Day Giveaway for automotive, aviation, and manufacturing techs, offering a limited-edition Sonic S11 Toolbox with a U.S. flag custom wrap design. Winners will also receive an assortment of Sonic-branded novelties, from a bottle opener to a Sonic t-shirt.

To enter, techs should complete a registration form at Sonic’s website, and the winner will be announced on July 7, 2025.