Driving the Future: Entrepreneurship Student Earns Spot in GM Youth Program

A passion for creativity and cars has put an Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northeast student on a fast track toward a future in automotive design.

After studying Computer Programming during her junior year, Avelina Roberts transitioned into the Entrepreneurship and Advanced Marketing program at OSTC Northeast, a change that better aligned with her interests in art and automobiles. With the encouragement of instructor Elizabeth Diehl, Roberts applied to a highly competitive youth automotive design program offered by General Motors.

As part of the application process, Roberts submitted a portfolio of original vehicle sketches and was accepted into the three-month Youth Modelers Artists Designers (YMAD) program. The immersive experience introduces students in grades 7–12 to careers in automotive design and sculpting through hands-on work in sketching, modeling, digital and clay sculpting, and the application of color, material, and finish. Participants also develop communication and presentation skills while working alongside GM design professionals.

The program concludes with students presenting a final project to GM leaders. Roberts said she was especially excited about the modeling component of the experience.

“I was worried about school and what I was going to do,” Roberts said. “But once I heard about this program, everything fell into place.”

Now a Rochester High School senior, Roberts said the experience helped clarify her future plans. She intends to pursue automotive design, beginning her studies at Oakland Community College before potentially transferring to the College for Creative Studies.