Auto shop program is thriving . . . with a waiting list
By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
The school board’s decision to keep auto shop in the high school curriculum is looking like a very smart move.
The Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education opted to keep the program two years ago when Dick Estelow, who had taught the course for nearly four decades, retired.
Many other school districts around the state have dropped auto shop, and the board considered doing the same here. But after much public comment against scrapping auto shop, the district kept it, striking a deal with the county vocational school to provide an instructor.
Under that instructor, Lou Carnation, the auto shop program is thriving. There is a waiting list to take the course, which has spawned an after-school extracurricular activity: the Auto Enthusiasts Club.
Students are trying to bring a representative of Honda to the school to talk about green automotive technology. In the same vein, several of Mr. Carnation’s seniors are considering applying to four-year degree programs that focus on alternative fuels and other progressive automotive technology. In addition, a car show is being planned for the high school in the spring.
”Auto shop is a great course. It would have been a great loss if the school discontinued it,” said senior Evan Acuna, president of the Auto Enthusiasts Club.
The program at the high school offers basic and advanced auto courses. Girls as well as boys are taking the course.
”The kids in this program are really a credit to their parents,” Mr. Carnation said. “It’s a pleasure to come to work every day. They work hard; they learn; they cooperate with me and each other.”
Student Jack Wenner’s father made the program a special gift — a modified 1978 Monza that students are trying to convert into a dragster to be raced in Englishtown. That town has hosted such races for decades.
”We are researching NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) guidelines and working to get the Monza in conformity with them,” Mr. Carnation said.
A fundraiser, to be held in front of the Pennington Quality Market within a month or so, is being planned for the dragster project. Other local merchants already have pledged support. Landscaper Kurt Pedersen will provide a flatbed trailer to haul the dragster to the track. Mark Blackwell, like Mr. Pedersen a Pennington resident, will provide tires and other parts at cost. Mr. Blackwell runs Metal Fab, a parts business for car racers.
In keeping with a time-honored car-racing tradition, individuals and organizations that support the Hopewell dragster financially will get their name put on the car. To find out how to make a contribution and get your name on the Monza, call the high school at 737-4000.