By Alyssa Boles

Automotive repair students are helping solve a student-transportation conundrum.

For some graduating high school seniors, transportation is a barrier that stands between them and higher education. Working to solve that problem for a lucky teen is Tennessee College of Applied Technology’s Automotive Technology Class and Warren County Kids of the Community’s Kruise-in for Kids.

“The car project provides a vehicle to an eligible teenager in the Kids of the Community program to assist them to go to school, while the TCAT students receive a deeper learning experience,” said Gary Lorance, who helps coordinate the annual car giveaway.

TCAT’s Automotive Technology course provides trainees with a thorough understanding of the methods of serving and repairing vehicles. Instructor Richard Nash says the best way to do that is to get your hands dirty.

“Students are provided hands-on experience during their time in class at TCAT and it better prepares them for business and industry,” said Nash. “Our students provided all the mechanical work on this vehicle. It also allowed them a chance to supply someone else with the opportunity that they themselves currently have – access to higher education.” 

This is the fourth year TCAT and Kids of the Community have completed this car project. This year the car, a Nissan Maxima, was donated in honor of the late Jimmy Neal and wife, Gail Neal. 

Funds for its refurbishment are generated during Kruise-in for Kids, a monthly cruise in held at Farmers Market on the first Saturday of each month.

“We like to get kids to work together to achieve something great. Working together to get something achieved is a great skill everyone should have, and that is what we are teaching these kids to do,” said Lorance. 

For more information about Kruise-in for Kids, visit its Facebook page.