THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016

THE MACOMB DAILY

| LOCALNEWS

|9

Mechanics in the making: Fitzgeralds Auto Program

By Niki Qureshi and
Rosemary Hermiz

High School: The defining

few years of many peoples lives.
Many realize later in life that high
school was a blessing in disguise.
Its an opportunity to explore different interests, discover your
likes and dislikes, nurture your
potential talents, and develop
skills that come to be imperative later in life. With only a fouryear time span for this window
of self-discovery to take place, it
is crucial that students be provided a variety of opportunities
for education in different fields.
Fitzgerald High School has recognized the significance of these
criteria and in the past had created one of its best programs that
is still standing and continually
progressing to this day: The Fitzgerald Auto Program.
The Fitzgerald Auto Program
has been a remarkable aspect
of Fitzgerald High School for 47
years. Started in 1968, this program was created to accommodate for the growing use of technology and automobiles in society and the workforce. John
Huhn, the creator of this program, was receptive on the significance of auto in society and
resourcefully established the program for the benefit of students.
The staff and students of Fitzgerald High School quickly realized
the ingenious practicality of this
program, and it swiftly grew to
become a three part curriculum:
With Auto I, Auto II, and Auto III
being provided to all interested
students. Not only are Fitzgerald
students invited to this program,
but the school extends this opportunity beyond Fitzgerald, and
openly welcomes students from
other high schools, such as Center
Line and Warren Woods, as well.
The first section of this curriculum, Auto I, is utilized to teach
students the basics of automotive. Here, students who have no
knowledge of mechanics or automobiles are able to learn the fundamental information needed
to maintain a properly working
car through the use of tools and
equipment. Some skills taught
during this introductory class
include basic car repairs, tire
changes, oil changes, and detailing.
The next two sections of the
curriculum, Auto II and Auto III,
develop these skills further and
delve into topics of greater intensity such as alignment, suspension, and work on engines. Teaching for all three sections of this
program is split between traditional work in the classroom and
hands on experiences in the Auto
Shop.
Typically, students first develop
a foundation of basic knowledge
in the classroom, and then transfer the application of this information to hands on work. For
this, the students work on cars
provided by customers and are
expected to employ problem
solving and cognitive skills to

discover and accomplish plausible solutions, of course with the

assistance of the auto teachers.
This method of teaching allows
students to learn and gain information all the while actively
engaging in repairs and experiencing the expectations and atmosphere that a professional mechanic would.
In addition to obtaining the
essential information and skills
taught in these classes, the Fitzgerald Auto Program provides a
multitude of other benefits for
students as well. A tremendous
advantage that students of this
program obtain is scholarship
opportunities. Partaking in the
auto program can instantly open
many doors for students to be eligible for auto or mechanic related
scholarships. These scholarships
can also be obtained through participation in competitions.
A major competition that Fitzgerald Auto Program students often take part in is Skills USA. This
nationwide competition throws
students/student teams into challenging situations regarding vehicles and mechanics, the challenges being dependent on skill
level. Not only do participants in
this competition gain valuable experience, but also can earn scholarship money.
Other competitions like this
are offered to the auto program
students as well. Aside from the
much welcome scholarship qualifications, the Fitzgerald Auto Program also provides students the
valuable opportunity of developing cognitive abilities, cultivating team cooperation skills, and
gaining impressive experience for
their resumes.
The numerous benefits of the
auto program isnt exactly a secret
among students. In fact, many
students join the program for
these reasons, along with various
other reasons. Upon a class interview, students in the introductory
auto class each spoke about their
different reasons for joining and

taking interest in the class. Their

responses ranged from wanting
to learn how to do repairs on their
own, wanting to learn how to use
tools, wishing to spend some time
experiencing hands on work, and
wishing to have a career relating
to the auto/mechanic field in the
future.
Taking the career path into
mind, the females were asked
what it was like to take a class
that is normally thought to be directed mainly towards males. The
feedback showed the interest in
auto was not as divided as it was
thought to be. The girls did not
feel intimidated; rather, they felt
welcome by their peers. They felt
a sense of independence, and of
course they wanted to be knowledgeable on repair themselves.
They stated that there was no
need for them to feel any less superior to the men in the room, or
at all intimidated.
Of course, a class interview
wouldnt be complete without a
word of advice. One that cant
be overlooked is that the course
is hard work; its hands on and
isnt something you should slack

in. Students also said that you

should pay attention and take the
class seriously, as it is something
that you can use at many points
in your life, even if you dont pursue a career in the automotive industry. Furthermore, it was stated
that the opportunity is unlike any
other, as not every high school has
the advantage of having an automotive program like the one at
Fitzgerald. All of the student responses showed the students appreciation for having the program
and the acknowledgement of how
crucial the program is in creating
opportunities.
The appreciation of the program extends beyond high school,
and comes to have a special place
in many graduates hearts. Fitzgerald High School alumni Nashwan Hermiz recalls his first time
walking into the tech building,
seeing a white Dodge Viper and
Dodge Durango and falling in
love with the cars, and knowing
from that moment [he] wanted to
be a mechanic for a living. For
students just like him, the program has shown them exactly
what they want to do in their fu-

ture, and has been a significant

part of their high school experience.
Overall, the Fitzgerald Auto
Program clearly is an exceptional
addition to the school. The program is incomparable, from its
curriculum to its life lessons, to
the family you build in the shop.
With its variety of benefits, its no
wonder why the program is still
prospering after a successful 47
years.
While high school is undoubtedly a time for learning fundamentals and core subjects, it is
also a time for personal development and exploration. The auto
program provided by Fitzgerald
High School is a phenomenal opportunity to aid in this personal
discovery and allows students
to have a unique experience in
a growing field. As stated by an
introductory auto class student,
This class isnt offered everywhere, so take advantage of it.
With its massive benefits and
welcoming atmosphere, the Fitzgerald Auto Program is an experience no student will want to miss
out on.