By Mary Massey
On a warm, picture-perfect Saturday afternoon, Santa Fe’s car community united for a car show fundraiser to support automotive students who attend Early College Opportunities High School.
From muscle cars, lowriders, classic cars, race cars and trucks to two Shelby Ford Mustangs, there was something for every car enthusiast. The festivities included prizes, a raffle and a student-run refreshment stand.
The Sept. 28 event at ECO was designed to raise money for auto body students to attend state and national competitions sponsored by SkillsUSA and the Specialty Equipment Market Association. The contests allow students an invaluable experience to demonstrate their skills and interact with industry professionals.
Josh Rhine, ECO principal, was impressed with the turnout that showcased nearly 90 entries on display in the ECO parking lot. “It is great to have the car community support a school that has programs in automotive. It’s a great community event to bring people together,” he said.
Car show organizer Chris Coriz, auto body instructor, said the car show was a huge success with more than $4,000 raised to help send students to competitions. He said, “There were a lot of high end cars and a good turnout. It brought a lot of good awareness to the school as well.”
Coriz said the cadre of ECO students he assembled to work all aspects of the show did an amazing job.
Bo Rives, 10th grader, whose parents are in the local automotive business, said it will be nice to have funding for student competitions, adding automotive students have done well in past state and national contests. This event is important to the school, he said, because it “shows the full potential of what we can do together.”
Logan Gallegos, 10 grader, who examined a truck with a turbo engine, added he is really interested in ECO’s automotive programs because he learns more about vehicles, and he works on his own truck.
Raven Ryan, 11th grader who is taking auto tech for the second year, said she has been a long-time fan of cars. Standing beside a Ford Mustang, she said, “I love Mustangs. I’m a Ford girl.”
Ryan, who aspires to be a mechanical engineer, enjoys ECO especially because of the amazing teachers. She believes what she is learning in ECO’s auto programs about design and hands-on mechanics will prepare her for college.
The car owners who brought their cars and their families to the show also were thrilled to support ECO automotive students.
Car owner Julian Lovato said he’s happy to support ECO, especially because both he and his wife, Justice, met when the school was the district’s vocational-technical school. The couple won the People’s Choice award for their yellow, red and pink 1985 Cadillac Eldorado.
Ed Baca, aka Mustang Ed, is president of the Santa Fe Vintage Car Club that brought several cars to the show. He said he and members of his club hope that ECO students may one day form a similar club. He participates in the show because “I am very concerned for the future,” and he knows that at ECO “the kids are learning the fundamentals of car restoration and upkeep.”