Honoring Patrick’s Legacy: Meet Cole Brown, the 2025 Patrick M. Bernick Scholarship Recipient
Some stories remind you why community matters. The Patrick M. Bernick Scholarship is one of them — and Cole Brown’s story is exactly the kind of hope it was created to carry forward.
Fifth Gear Automotive Repair is proud to announce Cole Brown, a Lewisville ISD senior, as the 2025 recipient of the Patrick M. Bernick Scholarship — a scholarship born from love, loss, and a family’s commitment to keeping a legacy alive.
This is not just a scholarship announcement. It is a story about a young man with a clear direction, a family honoring someone they loved deeply, and a business rooted in the belief that serving the community goes far beyond fixing cars.
Who Was Patrick Michael Bernick?
Patrick was the beloved son of Steve and Jamie Bernick, and the grandson of Fifth Gear Automotive Repair co-owner, Bill Bernick. Steve and Jamie — both proud LISD alumni — were eager to give Patrick every ounce of love they had. Though his time was far too short, the joy and resilience Patrick embodied never left those who loved him.
In his memory, the Bernick family created the Patrick Michael Bernick Memorial LISD Scholarship Fund — a way to give someone else the hope and resilience Patrick once carried. It is their way of making sure his name continues to inspire, and that young people with big dreams are given a hand up as they take their next steps.
“Though his time was short, they hope this scholarship helps give someone that hope and resilience Patrick once had.”
— The Bernick Family | Fifth Gear Automotive Repair
About the Patrick M. Bernick Scholarship
The Patrick Michael Bernick Memorial LISD Scholarship Fund was established to support Marcus High School and Flower Mound High School seniors as they pursue higher education. It is awarded to Automotive Technology students or students planning to attend a secondary automotive trade school.
Who Is Eligible?
- Marcus High School or Flower Mound High School seniors (LISD)
- Students enrolled in Automotive Technology or planning to attend an automotive trade school
- Students who demonstrate resilience, kindness, and a passion for learning
Applications are managed through the Lewisville ISD Educational Foundation. If you or someone you know would be a great candidate for future scholarship cycles, you can learn more and apply at lisdef.com.
Meet the 2025 Recipient: Cole Brown
Cole Brown is a Lewisville ISD senior graduating this spring with a path already in motion. He is not waiting to find his direction — he is already living it.
Cole currently works with the Toyota family and has built strong connections within the organization, gaining hands-on experience across automotive operations that most students his age do not get the opportunity to access. He also participated in a work-study program through his high school, where real-world automotive experience was baked directly into his education.
After graduation, Cole plans to attend Collin College to continue building toward a career in the automotive industry — while remaining with Toyota to keep learning and growing. His passion for vehicles is personal, too. As a Lexus owner, Cole’s enthusiasm for the Toyota brand runs deep, and it has opened his curiosity to the full spectrum of automotive vehicles, from legacy platforms to modern EVs.
“Cole surprised everyone in the room with a sharp automotive knowledge that went well beyond what most students his age carry — including the ability to drive a manual transmission, something rare in his generation.”
— The Bernick Family | Meeting with Cole Brown, 2025
The Meeting: Getting to Know Each Other
Cole did not just receive a check. He sat down with the Bernick family — Bill, Rena, and Steve — for a genuine conversation. No formality, no ceremony. Just people getting to know each other.
The Bernick family came into that room with excitement. This scholarship is close to their hearts — it carries Patrick’s memory — and finding a recipient who reflects his spirit of resilience and hope made it all the more meaningful. Cole, for his part, came in with gratitude and something the Bernicks were happy to discover: real knowledge and a genuine love for the trade.
They talked cars. The family asked Cole questions — about his experience, his interests, how he thinks about vehicles. He held his own. And when the conversation turned to manual transmissions, Cole revealed he could drive a standard — something that genuinely surprised the room. Not many people his age can say that.
Then Steve did something special. He walked Cole through the history of Fifth Gear Automotive Repair.
A Business That Holds On to Its History
Steve shared how it all started — with Bill Bernick and co-owner Rick Jordan meeting on a soccer field where their daughters played. What began as a friendship between two dads became one of North Texas’s most trusted family-owned auto repair businesses. Fifth Gear started as a motorsports business and grew, location by location, into the multi-shop operation it is today.
Cole flipped through old photos — historic images of Fifth Gear from the early days. And what stood out to him was not the growth or the locations. It was that a business would hold on to that history at all.
“Cole thought it was special that a business would hold on to its history like that — and it was a reminder of why we do.”
— Fifth Gear Automotive Repair
That moment said something important. For Cole, seeing how far Fifth Gear had come — and that they were proud enough of where they started to document it — made the whole afternoon feel real. This was not just a company handing out a scholarship. This was a family inviting him into their story.
Community Is Not a Side Project — It Is the Foundation
At Fifth Gear Automotive Repair, we are a business because this community believed in us. Without the families of North Texas — Lewisville, Flower Mound, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Argyle, and beyond — we would not be where we are today. That is not something we take for granted.
Afternoons like the one we shared with Cole are not just feel-good moments. They are the reason we stay connected to the next generation — the young people who will shape this industry, who will someday serve the same families we serve now. Knowing their goals, their drive, and their stories helps us stay grounded in what matters.
Being a family-owned business is not just a label. It is a standard we hold ourselves to — a commitment to showing up for the community the same way a neighbor would. The Patrick M. Bernick Scholarship is one of the most personal expressions of that commitment.
“We are proud to be local and family-owned because it sets the bar for us to continue upholding the values that keep us rooted in this community.”
— Fifth Gear Automotive Repair
Help Us Keep Patrick’s Legacy Going
A heartfelt thank you to all of the sponsors whose generosity makes this scholarship possible. Your support does more than fund an education — it gives a student like Cole the confidence to keep going.
If you would like to help us support the next generation of automotive professionals and keep Patrick’s memory alive, you can donate directly through the Lewisville ISD Educational Foundation:
Donate in Memory of Patrick Michael Bernick →
Know a Student Who Would Be a Great Fit?
Applications are open through the Lewisville ISD Educational Foundation. Help us find the next Cole Brown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Patrick Michael Bernick?
Patrick was the son of Steve and Jamie Bernick, and the grandson of Fifth Gear Automotive Repair co-owner Bill Bernick. He was a deeply loved member of the Bernick family and the LISD community. This scholarship was created in his memory to carry forward his spirit of resilience, hope, and kindness.
Who is eligible for the Patrick M. Bernick Scholarship?
The scholarship is open to seniors at Marcus High School and Flower Mound High School who are enrolled in Automotive Technology or plan to attend an automotive trade school. Eligible students should demonstrate resilience, kindness, and a genuine passion for learning.
How can a student apply?
Applications are handled through the Lewisville ISD Educational Foundation. Visit lisdef.com for current scholarship listings and application details.
How can I support the Patrick M. Bernick Scholarship?
You can donate directly to the scholarship fund through the Lewisville ISD Educational Foundation at lisdef.com. Every contribution helps ensure another student like Cole gets the support they need to pursue their goals.
Why did Fifth Gear Automotive Repair create this scholarship?
Fifth Gear is a family-owned business built by and for the North Texas community. The Bernick family created this scholarship not only to honor Patrick’s memory, but to reflect their belief that a business’s responsibility extends beyond its bays — into the lives of the families and students it serves every day.
Published by Fifth Gear Automotive Repair | Serving Lewisville, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Argyle, Aubrey-Crossroads, Castle Hills, Southlake, and North Fort Worth. Fifth Gear Automotive Repair is a family-owned, multi-location auto repair business proudly rooted in North Texas.
Juan is a marketing enthusiast with over three years of experience in automotive marketing and serves as the Marketing Lead at Fifth Gear Automotive. A University of North Texas graduate with a Master’s in Marketing, he works closely with expert technicians to share trusted insights and practical advice, helping drivers better understand and care for their vehicles.
