Eastern's Auto Technology Scholarship Helps Drive Student Accomplishments

Robert H. Mertz taught Automotive Technology at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology () from 1966 to 1988.

After his passing on March 27, 2008, his daughter, Ellen Mertz-Yoesron, set up the Robert H. Mertz Memorial Scholarship for Further Education in Automotive Technology at Abington Bank in recognition of her father’s positive impact on the lives of many of his students. Naturally mechanically inclined, Mertz got involved with mechanics during his time in the Army in Okinawa, where he worked in the motor pool on trucks during the Korean conflict.

In 1965, the newly formed Eastern Montgomery County Vocational Technical School (EASTERN’s original name) was seeking teachers and Mertz was one of the first teachers employed in Automotive Technology. He was also hired by the State of Pennsylvania to teach and test persons for PA State Inspection of Vehicles.

“My father was a beloved teacher at EASTERN, who was always there for his students. He became like family to many students who did not have a stable home life,” said Mertz-Yoesron. “He cared about his students as if they were his own children. He was tough, but would go out of his way to help them when times were rough. This perpetual scholarship is our way of honoring him and his legacy.”

Mertz-Yoesron will personally present this award to an EASTERN Automotive Technology student at the Awards Night ceremony at Upper Moreland High School on May 31. The award will be given to one outstanding graduating senior who is actively involved in . SkillsUSA is a national student leadership organization that encourages students to be productive individuals in our democratic society, work to their potential, become responsible, and be proud of their accomplishments and be supportive of their community.

For information on donating to the Robert H. Mertz Memorial Scholarship for Further Education in Automotive Technology, please contact Ellen Mertz-Yoesron at 267-278-4634. Contributions can be sent to Susquehanna

Bank, Keswick Avenue, Glenside, PA 19436 or to the EASTERN Foundation at 3075 Terwood Road in Willow Grove, PA 19090. No contribution is too small to help a student go further.

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About EASTERN

EASTERN is a public school serving students in nine Eastern Montgomery County school districts. Those districts include Abington, Bryn Athyn, Cheltenham, Hatboro-Horsham, Jenkintown, Lower Moreland, Springfield, Upper Dublin and

Upper Moreland. Students benefit from specialized career programs that give them a competitive edge in college or in a career. The campus is at 3075 Terwood Road in Willow Grove. For more information, please contact Amy Shields,

Organizational Advancement Director, at 215-784-4806, or visit the school’s website at www.eastech.org. Like Us? Become a fan on Facebook – www.Facebook.com/EasternCenter.