AVB Scholarship winner Isabel Janka credits on-the-job training

By Andy Kriege, YSN

Last month’s 2024 Summit proceedings were highlighted by the announcement of this year’s AVB BrandSource Scholarship Award winners.

As part of a longstanding effort to support higher education, AVB bestows $20,000 in academic achievement awards annually. The goal of these scholarships is to provide financial assistance to the children of BrandSource members, AVB affiliates and their staff to help offset higher educational expenses.

See: Meet AVB Scholarship Winner Serenity Guerrero

Four winners were chosen from dozens of submissions, with each receiving $5,000 toward enrollment this fall. Eligibility now extends beyond those attending four-year colleges to include students enrolled in tech and trade school programs.

Among the 2024 winners is Isabel Janka, daughter of ProSource member Bill Janka, owner of Mission Audio Video in Santa Barbara, Calif. 

For the past two years Isabel has served as an electronics systems technician performing installs for the family business, which provides unique technology solutions for homes and businesses. 

Her work at Mission encompassed the rough-in and finishing stages of construction, including running wire, installing equipment and troubleshooting tech issues. “I’ve learned to use a variety of hand and power tools, ranging from simple wire cutters to large power equipment, thanks to some of the more experienced techs. This combination of hands-on work and teamwork at Mission has taught me that both the social and physical aspects of work are important to me,” Isabel said.

The scholarship winner is currently in her second year at California Polytechnic State University in San Louis Obispo, where she is studying mechanical engineering. She is also taking the necessary business prerequisites to pursue an entrepreneurship minor at the school.

Isabel has yet to decide where she will eventually apply her engineering skills. “Becoming a mechanical engineer means I have plenty of choices. I hope to do something to help others, whether through biomedical engineering, sustainable energy engineering or something different altogether,” she said.

In the meantime, she is applying for an Irish Internship Employment Permit in order to work at a Dublin-based biomedical startup as an engineering intern.

The Janka family hits the slopes. From left: brother Henry, dad Bill, future engineer Isabel and mother Christy.

In her spare time, Isabel enjoys rock climbing, skiing and other outdoor activities. Indoors, she likes to cook, lift weights, prepare cappuccinos and care for her plants and fish. She also volunteers at a local elementary school, teaching fifth graders about the engineering and design process. 

“I really want to thank everyone who has helped me get to where I am and is allowing me to create my own path in the world of engineering,” Isabel said. “At the top of that list would be my mom and dad, who have supported me through all my successes and failures.

“I would also like to express my gratitude to AVB for awarding me this scholarship, as it will help me continue my studies and explore everything else the world has to offer,” she said. 

AVB congratulates Isabel Janka for her hard work and all she has achieved. We wish her the best as she helps to engineer the future of the world.

YSN publisher AVB BrandSource is the nation’s largest merchandising and marketing co-op for independent appliance, mattress, furniture and CE dealers.

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