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The GM Tech Center in Warren, Michigan has hosted career centered student visitation/job shadow experience for the past ten years. Each year, the employees at the GM Tech Center have put together programs that catch the students’ attention and emphasize the roll of education in their futures.
José Limón, Jr., trip organizer and Tech Center design specialist, has teamed up with Toledo Public Schools Bilingual Ed. Coordinator, José Luna, to offer the Latino students an eye-opening glance at the very heart of GM’s new vehicle development, with transportation being provided by the Office of Career Technology of Toledo Public Schools.
Mr. Luna believes “students need to see why education is so important.” Luna quotes TPS Chief of Staff Crystal Ellis as stating: “Students can’t become what they’ve never seen.” Since this was the 10th Anniversary, Mr. Limón planned something special for an already one-of-a-kind experience.
On April 27, 2007, the students visited GM’s Heritage Museum in Sterling Heights. Upon arriving, students disseminate, shadowing a Tech Center specialist. The object of the trips is to expose Latino students to a variety of careers in the auto industry and to highlight the educational need for math, science, and English. Education is the key point stressed during the field trip. Each year brings something new for the students.
The Heritage Museum houses GM autos and trucks from 1901 to 2007. Automobile history unfolded before the students’ eyes. All GM’s divisions are represented in the museum. Included among the displays were unique concept cars developed Harley Earl, legendary GM designer.
After touring the museum, students listened to a presentation by Tom Peters, Corvette Design Team Leader. Mr. Peters spoke on the development process for new cars in particular the newly redesigned Camaro. Peters stressed the importance of working towards the fulfillment of dreams and the need to face and over come obstacles.
The day ended with the students being treated to a lunch buffet by their GM hosts at The Sombrero Restaurant in Warren. When asked if they enjoyed the field trip, the students responded with a big thumbs up.
Students in attendance:
Leverette:
Victor Dominguez
Mario González
Antonio Hernández
Raquel Herrera
Alicia Mireles
Rosalinda Mireles
Alexandrea Narvaez
Angelica Narvaez
Rosa Reyes
Mariah Ruiz
Sandra Santiago
Newbury:
Chelsey García
Luis Padilla
Manuela Urieta
East Broadway Middle School:
Elsie Almodvar-Reyes
Renyssa Davis
Alicia González
Rico Minor
Jacqueline Moreno
Morrisa Pérez
Alex Ramírez
School Chaperones:
Bilingual Ed. Program Coordinator- José Luna
Leverette Middle School- Anita Reyes
East Broadway Middle School- Jim Tolar
NEXT WEEK: Part Two, Perspective of the annual educational field trip by José Limón Jr.
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