AMT Toolbox Scholarship Awardee Mariska Mack

Mariska Mack: Toolbox Scholarship Awardee

Mariska Mack doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty. In fact, she prefers it. From fixing cars in high school to fixing airplanes at SFU, she is certain that a hands-on technical career is her calling. 

A first-year student in the Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) certificate program, Mariska is utilizing her skills, expanding her knowledge, and gaining the confidence she needs to make her way in a field that she is passionate about. 

“I love working with my hands, and I just need to be physically doing something,” Mariska said. “I’ve known for a long time that I would never want to work in an office.” 

Mariska’s dedication to her craft and her gift as a natural leader have earned her the 2026 AMT Toolbox Scholarship, a merit-based initiative that highlights Saint Francis’ commitment to advancing technical education while reducing the up-front costs for students entering the program. Through this scholarship, Mariska has received a professional Snap-on AOGMHC aviation maintenance tool set, valued at $10,515, to support her hands-on training throughout the AMT program and beyond. 

“I am extremely grateful for the Toolbox Scholarship,” Mariska said. “It not only helps me with my student expenses, but it will be something that I am going to use throughout my entire career.” 

Growing up in Nanty-Glo, PA, Mariska was inspired by her dad, who encouraged her interest in repairing broken things. Through problem-solving and determination, he showed her that it’s not always about knowing the answers but understanding how to find them. 

“My dad always knows how to fix something, and if he doesn’t, then he learns how to do it and then he fixes it,” Mariska said. “I want to be able to do that – to provide for myself and fix things.” 

Excited to learn, Mariska spent three years in high school in the Automotive Technology Repair program at Admiral Peary Area Vocational-Technical School and earned several certifications. Although she had post-graduation plans to complete an apprenticeship as a heavy equipment operator, after attending a presentation at her local high school about the AMT program, she decided to enroll at Saint Francis instead. 

“I had experience working in an auto shop, and I found that it wasn’t too exciting, but I did like fixing stuff,” Mariska said. “I decided that the AMT program could look good on a resume and open up new job opportunities for me.” 

Mariska credits her teacher at Admiral Peary AVTS, Darrell Diehl, with instilling in her the confidence she needs to excel in both the automotive technology and AMT fields. 

“I didn't have the confidence to answer questions in class because I didn't want to be wrong,” Mariska said. “But he never let anyone push me around, and he gave me the confidence to speak up and share my ideas. He was the best teacher I ever had.” 

Now, one of just two women in the AMT program, Mariska is not worried about finding success in a male-dominated field. For her, knowledge, skill, and the confidence to back it up are all she needs to fit in with her peers. 

“It’s not common for girls to be working in a male-dominated field, and I really enjoy it,” Mariska said. “I think that more girls should do it.” 

Following her graduation from the AMT program, Mariska plans to find work fixing engines at a local power plant or a local airport, but for now, she is focusing on honing her skills and expanding her knowledge. 

“Sometimes it gets hard, and I don't know how to fix it,” Mariska said. “But even if I don’t know what the problem is, I will figure it out.”