My City May 2023

IT’S CRAZY TO THINK THAT IN TWO YEARS, WE WILL HAVE GIVEN AWAY $800,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS.” INSTRUCTOR, ANDREW MICHALIK

Auto Tech students study a variety of techniques and systems related to work ing on and repairing vehicles such as electrical, welding, engine replacement, brakes, rotors, struts, computers and more. “In my program, it’s not unusual for a senior to have built a few transmis sions before they graduate,” says Micha lik. “A lot of the kids show up early on Wednesdays during the week to work on specific skills they want to improve like welding, for example.” Vehicles for study are provided by Davison faculty, donors, program alumni and the students themselves. It’s not uncommon for them

to bring in their own transportation for fixes or upgrades. The program is able to accommodate a variety of vehicles at any one time and work on numerous break-downs as it features four hoists, two alignment racks, welders, a plasma cutter, computers and everything else needed for a true auto shop. “I’m very

thankful that Davison supports the pro gram 100%,” says Michalik. “They get us what we need.” As a bonus, the program has its own drag racing car, a couple of off-road vehicles that students are able to drive at The Mounds ORV Park, and Michalik’s own monster truck, the “Insane Instruc tor.” Michalik asks, “How many kids can put the fact that they worked on a monster truck on their resume before graduating high school?” The newest thing the students are working on are hybrid and electrical systems, although components are very hard to come by. “We are desperately in need of hybrid system components,” says Michalik. “I recently purchased a 2011 fully-electric Nissan Leaf with my own money just so the kids could understand how it works and drive it. It’s so old, the battery only lasts for about 60 miles. It’s enough to get to work and back but it did die in my driveway once. That was close – I had to push it into my garage.”

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