NASCAR champion presents $25K grant to Hanahan Excessive auto store program | Information

David Van Maanen, automotive teacher, mentioned Berkeley County College District reached out to him to let him know in regards to the grant so he might apply. With the grant cash, he plans on increasing this system’s diagnostic instruments and bringing the gear updated.

Van Maanen teaches three ranges of courses in this system, with every changing into extra superior and hands-on as the scholars progress. The primary two ranges cowl a lot of the fundamentals, similar to altering a tire, auto security, oil adjustments and different primary upkeep.

The third stage is essentially the most superior, with college students having the ability to work on the auto programs Van Maanen brings in, in addition to being given the chance to affix the workforce throughout class time, permitting college students to be paid for his or her work and earn class credit score.

Van Maanen mentioned he feels this grant goes to assist college students get an excellent higher expertise and training whereas in his auto store program.

Daniels mentioned he might see the eagerness and vitality every pupil within the auto store program had whereas presenting the grant. He mentioned it was uplifting to see, and it made him really feel good to be a part of a program that helps college students.

“I do know that these children are going to have the ability to use the assets they are going to get — type of put the rubber to the highway — and it’ll make a distinction of their lives, and hopefully, their tutorial profession,” Daniels mentioned.

Larson mentioned he finds it rewarding to assist out college students with these grants.

“It’s nice that we get to present a lot cash to those colleges,” Larson mentioned. “Particularly in a spot like this, it’s already a tremendous place, and with a $25,000 grant, they’ll have the ability to do much more.”

Savannah McAlister, a senior at Hanahan Excessive College, was one in all Van Maanen’s first college students when he began educating.

“This (grant) will assist individuals be taught extra hands-on abilities, actually get to know how you can work on automobiles and discover one thing that they are keen about,” McAlister mentioned.

Lucian Colantuoni, a sophomore and a member of the auto store program, mentioned he was touched by Hendrick’s gesture of not simply recognizing the college with a grant, but additionally having Larson and Daniels come to speak to the scholars.

“More often than not we’re simply unrecognized as a result of (Hanahan Excessive) is small, not lots of people know us,” Colantuoni mentioned. “The truth that they got here right here as a result of our auto program is simply above and past, I actually simply admire it a lot.”

Colantuoni mentioned he’s going to proceed his involvement within the auto store program, and he can envision changing into a mechanic if he continues to seek out it fascinating.

Daniels emphasised the significance of college and training, saying it doesn’t matter what highway a pupil might observe, having the information in a area goes a good distance.

“I actually want any individual would have advised me once I was in highschool how the entire boring math and science courses actually repay,” Daniels mentioned. “I do not say boring frivolously, as a result of till I used to be actually capable of see how all of that connects so deeply to my ardour for making a automotive go quick, I wasn’t actually certain what to do with math and physics.”