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<\/a>Chris Thomas, CTE teacher for the Owego Central School District, is flanked by two of his students at WGI, and following the presentation of the Michael Spencer Trophy for their 2022 – 2023 build. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/p><\/div>\n
It was a cloudy day at Watkins Glen International the day the trophy was awarded to one of WCPs newest participants, the Owego Central School District, out of Owego, N.Y. The school\u2019s replica of a \u201933 Hot Rod sped ahead of the competition regarding build, performance, marketing, and design; although the race was close.<\/p>\n
In a culmination of the day\u2019s event on that early September day, the Superintendent of Waverly Schools, Dr. Eric Knolles, handed the coveted \u201cMichael Spencer\u201d trophy over to Chris Thomas, CTE teacher in Owego. Flanked by participating Owego students, Thomas stood proudly at the center of the Winners Circle at WGI, with the student builds arranged in a circular fashion and while cars ran the track.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Chris Thomas, CTE teacher for the Owego Central School District, is flanked by his students at WGI, and following the presentation of the Michael Spencer Trophy for their 2022 – 2023 build. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cI was so surprised,\u201d said Thomas, adding, \u201cIt was our very first time, so I thought we would come in second.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thomas noted that the students painted the car themselves, offering that this special touch may have pushed them into the top spot. Either way, Thomas, along with Nick Rodgers, middle school tech teacher in Owego and Alessio De Michele, a finance, marketing and sports management teacher for Owego, along with the participating students that attended, had reason to celebrate.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Chris Dyson, Trans Am Champion, offers a talk to participating WCP students at WGI, and during the test and performance evaluations of the student builds. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/p><\/div>\n
Regarding the evaluation, students from Alfred State help to inspect the vehicle for safety and overall aesthetics. The competition was scored with a 100-point system utilized. According to the WCP Curriculum, technical build represents 25 points, performance 15 points, the simulator is 10 points, and there are categories that include social media, logos, communication, and other aspects of the program that also earn points.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Chris Dyson, Trans Am Champion, offers a talk to participating WCP students at WGI, and during the test and performance evaluations of the student builds. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/p><\/div>\n
And in the Winners Circle Project, everyone comes out a winner; whether it\u2019s the student doing marketing or ordering parts, or the participant turning the wrenches or handing out tools, the application of science, technology, engineering, art and math were evident on Sept. 7, 2023 at WGI.<\/p>\n
The Owego students were among the 250 student participants that arrived at the track. According to Chris Dyson, two-time Trans-Am Champion and with the Dyson Family Foundation, a fund that backs the Winners Circle Project, the WGI activities offers students a taste of real life motor racing.<\/p>\n
As for the family\u2019s foundation, Dyson stated, \u201cWe try to support programs centered around education,\u201d adding, \u201cThis program is one we support.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Winners Circle Project, and its many facets, embraces the S.T.E.A.M. engine driving industries around the globe. Kits from Factory Five are just the beginning of the journey for many educators involved in the program.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Chris Thomas, CTE teacher for the Owego Central School District, is flanked by his students at WGI, along with Pius Kayiira, and following the presentation of the Michael Spencer Trophy for their 2022 – 2023 build. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/p><\/div>\n
For Thomas, the entire program was a learning experience for both the students and the educators involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just a construction operator,\u201d said Thomas, adding, \u201cI\u2019m not a car guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The school\u2019s build began last October when a frame arrived. According to Thomas, they put the transmission in on the second day. And with 15 students working on one car last year, the number has now doubled for this year\u2019s project.<\/p>\n
The class built a replica of a \u201933 Hot Rod last school year, with Thomas emphasizing the car\u2019s final touch where students painted the entire car, by hand. <\/p>\n
Allessio De Michele, Owego\u2019s business lead, personal finance, marketing, sports management and boys Varsity soccer coach for the Owego CSD, noted that the marketing class had 11 students this year with skills utilized including graphic design, journalism, photography, reporting, and a wide range of creative thinking storytelling, teamwork, and problem solving. <\/p>\n
\u201cEverything was project-based learning, so every student was doing meaningful work that they could be proud of,\u201d said De Michele, adding, \u201cIt was a unique way of learning and we created a united team where kids loved \u2018repping\u2019 their Owego Winners Circle Project apparel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thomas additionally praised the Winners Circle Project for their assistance along the way, specifically the guidance from Mark Dougherty from the WCP.<\/p>\n
\u201cMark was really responsive; he was the main cog in the system,\u201d said Thomas.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Chris Thomas, from the Owego-Apalachin School District, receives congratulations after being presented with the Michael Spencer Trophy for their 2022 – 2023 build. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/p><\/div>\n
Owego will participate again this school year, and at the time of this reporting they were waiting on their Cobra kit from Factory Five to arrive.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone is on the same playing field here,\u201d said Thomas of the competitive edge between the schools. For them, they like to put their own twist on it, reminiscent of the Architectural Awareness projects in which the Owego students would always hide a tool inside of their scaled-build, a trademark of sorts.<\/p>\n
For Superintendent Eric Knolles, of the Waverly School District, handing over the trophy to Owego this year was bittersweet; hard to let go of, but hopes of earning it back.<\/p>\n
Waverly\u2019s build was a 1932 Ford Hot Rod, painted red and carrying the Wolverine\u2019s all-terrain cycle in the bed of the truck.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Pictured next to Waverly\u2019s build, from left, are Fred Mills, Waverly tech teacher, Ashlee Hunt, Waverly School District administrator, and Dr. Eric Knolles, superintendent of the Waverly Central School District. (Photo by Wendy Post)<\/p><\/div>\n
Fred Mills, Waverly\u2019s technology teacher, began the build with students in September of last year and completed it in June. This is also the school\u2019s third year, making them the oldest participant of the WCP.<\/p>\n
This year the school will return to the Cobra Shelby replica as it aligns with the program’s newest feature of a race car simulator, one that will allow students to race with others, internationally!<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re actually racing on a track, with British announcers,\u201d said Knolles, whose class was able to view the simulator following the WCP day at WGI.<\/p>\n
He added, \u201cWe have kids that will be racing at Laguna Seca, and all the formula tracks. Each driver will have their own pit crew, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
The simulator will be online for students in October.<\/p>\n
As for the experience this year from Waverly, despite the surrendering of the honored trophy, Knolles described it as wonderful.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nice to have a place like Watkins Glen in your backyard,\u201d said Knolles, adding, \u201cIt was tough this year, but Owego had better marketing.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for Pius Kayiira, the program\u2019s executive director and founder, he couldn\u2019t be more pleased. This year they have added three new schools in the Wappingers and FDR Districts, all in Dutchess County.<\/p>\n
According to Dr. Dwight Bonk, superintendent for the Wappingers School District, they have 40 students for this first year of participation in the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is our responsibility to make sure our students are aware of trades, and also the business and marketing aspect of things,\u201d said Bonk, adding, \u201cThis will allow our students to pursue a great opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n