Big dreams hum under the hood

Auto shop attracts aspiring mechanics and the college-bound alike.

By TOM MARSHALL, Times Staff Writer
Published October 28, 2007

Automotive Technology teacher Steve Conti is passed a rag by sophomore Katie Tremblay during the popular hands-on class at Central High School.
	[Maurice Rivenbark | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT Video Auto shop classes popular with the girls [Maurice Rivenbark | Times] "I just love working on cars," says Shannon Resnick, who is in the Automotive Technology class at Central High School. "I'm going to try and get into the BMW and Mercedes field. You have to be good at math and science." Central High's auto program has 200 students, with more on a waiting list.

BROOKSVILLE

You can find most of the usual things in the auto shop at Central High.

There's plenty of grease, a clutter of tools, some rough language.

And one more thing: ambition.

"I'm already taking a bunch of college courses off campus, and I'm really into cars," said junior Danielle Bogulski, on her way to tackling a brake job. "I think I'm going to major in business, but maybe take that into the automotive industry."

Danielle thinks it might not be such a bad idea to know something about cars in her management job with, say, General Motors. She's a college-bound grease monkey. And she's not alone.

As the Hernando County School District mulls the future of its vocational and technical offerings this fall - and decides whether such programs are a better fit for the hands-on learner or the academically inclined - some students are busy having it both ways.

"I just love working on cars," said classmate Shannon Resnick, who tools away on an '87 Mustang in her spare time.

"I'm going to try and get into the BMW and Mercedes field," she added. "You have to be good at math and science."

Teacher Steve Conti, who used to run his own service shop before becoming a teacher, said he's got 200 students enrolled in Central's auto program, with more on a waiting list.

Some struggle academically and find a haven amid the rivet guns and worn tires. And there will always be a place in America for an honest mechanic, he said.

"We can't outsource oil changes," Conti said. "We need maintenance workers; we need construction workers."

But he also keeps his eyes open for the kid who loves both cars and math. Because America needs engineers with a firm grasp of calculus.

Senior Alex Ruger wants nothing more than a good hands-on career, possibly working on vehicles for the military.

"I don't want to be one of those guys working behind a desk," he said.

James McCoy, a sophomore, wouldn't disagree. But he's aiming for the technological pinnacle of the mechanic's world: racing technology.

For that he'll need plenty of training on computers, and a degree from a technical school like ITT, Universal Technical Institute or WyoTech.

"You have to have a really high GPA to get into WyoTech," he said.

Superintendent Wayne Alexander has called for a full review of the county's technical programs, after Hernando County School Board members voiced doubts about the breadth and depth of the district's offerings.

Some members asked whether Nature Coast Technical High, a magnet school, ought to offer different programs. Others wondered whether the state supports stand-alone technical schools, now that it's requiring each high school to offer career academies.

But Conti's students provide a simpler message about hands-on learning: Keep it coming.

"I just like cars," said junior Mike Alonzo. "If something breaks down, I can fix it. It's not like it's taking away from your academics."

Tom Marshall can be reached at tmarshall@sptimes.com or 352 848-1431.

[Last modified October 27, 2007, 19:44:01]