No. 14 Vol. 2
New View Media Group • 1-800-691-7549
January 30, 2018
Wayne Automotive Students Assemble Bikes For The Holidays
A
By Jason Cohen utomotive students from both Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley High Schools assembled bicycles for the fourth consecutive year that were donated to low income children for the holidays. The program began four years ago when automotive teachers Steve Hopper and Ken Bergen approached the Wayne Education Association with the idea. This year, the members of the Education Association purchased nine new bicycles and helmets to be delivered to elementary students in need. Hopper, who worked in the automotive industry for 25 years and has taught at the school for 15, explained that nurses at the primary schools help identify children who need bikes and then work with the teachers’ union to purchase them. The bikes are assembled in one day and then delivered to the youngsters. “Kids enjoy doing it because they are
helping those less fortunate,” Hopper said. “The students get such a kick out of assembling the bikes knowing they are going to help out younger kids. They look forward to doing this each year and take much pride in assembling them.” Hopper said the automotive program has become quite popular and enrollment has continued to increase. There are six classes: introductory, engine performance, electrical, steering, brakes and heating and air conditioning. “The program has been there at least 20 years,” Hopper said. “It’s grown considerably since I’ve been there. Every student is
different and they will take away whatever fits them.” The program is run by an advisory board made up of local automotive businesses, alumni from the program, parents and administrators. The board, Bergen and Hopper meet three times a year to discuss changes and issues with the curriculum. While there are lectures, the majority of the courses are hands on. Old cars are donated and kids get to roll up their sleeves and really get into the nitty gritty of being a mechanic. Some kids even do a work study program, where part of the day is spent in class and the latter at an auto shop, where they get real work experience and can get paid or credit. In fact, this year the program is holding an initiative called women in auto. The board is reaching out to women who have careers in the auto industry and having them speak to the students. “There’s a huge need for females in the auto industry,” Hopper said. Looking back on the program, Hopper feels it has impacted many kids and helped them launch careers. “Having been there for a number of years, we have a number of graduates that are working in the industry,” he said.