Exploring all options when it comes to the technical field is vital for high school students.
Looking to build upon that thought, Elizabethton High School Auto Instructor Paul Linberg hosted an annual car show Wednesday, Sept. 27, on the school’s campus.
During the day, students were treated to a variety of cars outside the school’s auto garage, ranging from drag race cars, round track race cars, a Model T Ford and vintage cars.
Linberg added that Wednesday’s car show was the largest the school has seen and is comprised of people from the community.
“A lot of this is just local guys,” Linberg said. “There’s four of us that went to school together, and we’ve stayed in contact. We’ve had people come in and take time away from the shops to spend time with the kids; it’s a great, fun time for everyone involved.”
Linberg was able to share stories with Chris Carter, Smoke Avery and Mike Williams – lifelong friends that forged careers in the automotive profession.
Developing a career was one of the reasons the car show has become a mainstay at the school, Linberg explained.
“It’s a great way to see if students want to get interested in the automotive profession,” Linberg. “Not only as a hobby, either. If it’s something they enjoy, there’s a career in this. There’s a lot that goes into, from the cars to the measuring tools.”
To go with the different cars on the premise, Tennessee College of Applied Technology of Elizabethton also provided a driving simulation, which proved to be a popular resource for students.
Addressing the technical workforce is an outlet Elizabethton City Schools is pursuing by work NCRC certification through the ACT Work Ready Communities Initiative. Students can achieve certification in the technical workforce and have the opportunity to gain employment out of school thanks in part to the program.