Kars & Kids will benefit deaf school's auto mechanics program

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News 8 Austin | 24 Hour Local News | LOCAL NEWS

The 2007 Kars & Kids show is this Saturday. The event features cars of all kinds - hot rods, classic cars, custom cars and pedal cars and will benefit the Texas School for the Deaf.

Students from the school's auto mechanics class will judge the events. To get ready, students have been learning what to look for when judging classic cars. Teachers brought in the experts and a 1969 Chevy Camaro.

"They're learning how to make those important decisions today. They're learning how to analyze the exterior of the car, the interior of the car, and they seem to be having fun," Superintendent Claire Bugen said.

Students say they're excited about Kars & Kids not just because they get to judge the cars, but also the updates it will bring to their equipment. The event will raise money for a lift and diagnostics equipment for the mechanic's school, as well as laptops and projection equipment for the classrooms.

"Some of the old equipment we use is like from '86 so technology from then until now is quite different. Hopefully we can update some of that now," student Chase Billings said.

Donald Pekar teaches auto mechanics and was once a student here. He said his class is growing with 40 students this semester. He'd like to see this garage get a lift.

"We've had 14 years of this equipment and I think it's time to update our kids in the program and the equipment that we have," he said.

And if you thought cars were just a guy thing, think again. Girls are interested in auto mechanics to prove they can do it just as well as the boys.

"I think I want to show them that girls can be mechanics, we can learn and get experience so when I have my own car and it breaks down I don't have to rely on another man to come in," student Roxanne Martinez said.

It's that type of confidence teachers hope will have a lasting effect on their students and show them their road of opportunity has no end.

"I want them to go to college so that they have a better life for themselves," Pekar said.

The Texas School for the Deaf automobile program also helps students get internships.

Kars and Kids kicks off this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Texas School for the Deaf. News 8 Austin is a sponsor of the event.
 
Kars and Kids draws thousands to School for the Deaf

News 8 Austin | 24 Hour Local News | LOCAL NEWS

Car aficionados and spectators alike came to peruse the dozens of custom and classic cars on display at Saturday's Kars and Kids show.

The proceeds go to the Texas School for the Deaf.

The students didn't hesitate to get involved. Taking a look under the hood took on a new meaning Saturday for seven selected students.

"I like to see all the cars how nice and clean they are. There's no scratches on them. They have to be perfect," senior mechanics student Zachery Jatzlau said.

Zach is one of the students selected from the school's auto-mechanics class to act as a judge.

Classics, customs and tricked-out rides of all shapes and sizes rolled onto the field of the Texas School for the Deaf campus to compete in 10 categories.

"It's an exciting and nervous day for our student judges because they feel an awesome responsiblity to analyze by all of the categories these beautiful cars and make the right choices," Superintendent Claire Bugen said.

The judges were prepped in what to look for:

"Most of it is on the paint job -- the design. The engine has to be
clean and beautiful and very creative. And it has to be different from the others," Jatzlau said.

Classics like a 1956 Mercedes replica are the main attraction,
but this year's Kars and Kids show is also an opportunity for the
public to learn more about the Texas School for the Deaf.

"People in the Austin community probably have seen this campus, driven by and wondered what happens here?" Bugen said.

Activities like sign language instruction and signing to music helped show people what the school is all about.

"We moved here from Houston three years ago so he could go to school here," mother Kathy Parker said, referring to her 12-year-old son, Dallas.

"He loves all cars. [He's] very, very excited. [We] woke up early to come here," she said. Dallas signed to her, and she added: "He's very excited to be here."

The proceeds will all go toward new equipment for the school. News 8 Austin puts on the yearly event.

"We probably touch about 4,000 deaf students and families and
professionals that work with deaf students," Bugen said.

And now they've likely touched a few more people by sharing their campus and their culture with Austin's car enthusiasts.

The funds raised will purchase a lift and diagnostics equipment
for the mechanics school as well as laptops and projection equipment for the classrooms.
 
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