(Article courtesy of Akron Public Schools)

Students at Akron Public Schools’ East Community Learning Center will host a car show Saturday, June 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the main parking lot at East Community Learning Center. The event is sponsored by Akron Public Schools and Don Joseph Toyota.

The students are expecting approximately 70 classic, muscle/sports cars and motorcycles to be in the show. Judges will present a trophy for best in show at 1:45 p.m. All participants must complete a registration form. (Click here to access the form.)

This is a free, family-friendly event. Students will host guided tours of the automotive program (facilities) and hospitality/marketing students will operate a concession stand. Any profits from the concession stand will be used to help cover costs of the event as well as future field trips for our pupils.

Should there be inclement weather, the event will postponed until another date can be arranged. East CLC is located at 80 Brittain Road.

A collaboration with teacher Chadwick Groom, along with Grace Harrison from Hospitality and Sue Schutte from Marketing, the group plans to invite area residents to attend and show off their “cool cars.” Details of the event are still being worked out.

Groom says he has a very special group of young men and one young woman who have a ton of talent when it comes to automotive technology.

“This group has done extremely well in their core automotive programs such as the transportation maintenance, engine and powertrain, and electrical class,” he added. “I see their talent being fueled by a definite passion for what they are doing.”

His class started with a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that had been sitting for a while and had a number of different mechanical problems. They spent a few weeks after school getting it running and working out all the kinks as students practiced the skills they were learning during the day in class.

Groom said, “We looked at real diagnostic practices and repair. And then, I opened my mouth and said, ‘You know, it’s pretty easy to make these cars go really fast.’ And that was it! We put together funds earned throughout the year and held a car wash fundraiser. We received a donation from East Alumni that really got us off on the right foot. Huge help! We ordered a bunch of ‘go-fast’ performance parts for the car. and over the past couple months, we have worked after school on yet another aspect of automotive technology. The experience has shown the kids how what they learned in class applies not only to general repair work, but also in the high performance side of the trade.”

Groom welcomes visitors to watch the work being done every Thursday after school from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m. Groom and his students have plans to take the car to Dragway 42 in late May to put their hard work to the test. There, he will strap himself in and go drag racing.

“Racing has been a passion of mine for a long time, and it is more exciting than I can really describe, to share that passion with this group of kids. They make it more exciting,” Groom said.

For info, including details about the upcoming car show, visit www.akronschools.com.