Published: May 07, 2008 11:50 am            

SCC student to compete in national auto body repair event

Special to the Times-Tribune

On Thursday during a car show at the SCC Laurel Campus South, which displayed the work done by the auto body repair and auto technology programs at the college, Rick Chadwell, the owner of Chadwell’s Collision Repair in Manchester, gave Buntain a check to help him pay for the trip to Kansas City. Chadwell is a member of the SCC Laurel Campus auto body repair advisory committee. He has helped judge the Regional SkillsUSA competition held at the Laurel Campus South.

 “We are very thankful for community members like Rick, who help us to make our auto body and auto technology programs successful,” said Jimmy Smith, the Laurel Campus South auto body instructor.

“This is the first time I’ve been in any competition as far as collision repair,” Buntain said. “I hope I do well. I’ve been working hard to get ready. I’ve been studying hard. I’m not sure what the national collision repair event will involve, so I’m studying all aspects of collision repair from the ground up.”

Buntain has three extra special reasons to try to do well in Kansas City. His twin six-year-old sons, Ashton and Jacob, are rooting for their dad as is his wife, Yolanda.

“The first thing the boys said when I got back from the state competition was, ‘Did you win a medal, Dad?’ When they saw the gold medal, they were like, ‘Oh, Man!’ It was like I was in the Olympics.” Buntain said. “I think my success has made them work harder in school.

“Yolanda works full-time, so I can go to college,” Buntain said. “She is the reason I am able to come here and learn more.”

Buntain worked as a carpenter for many years, but his passion for cars brought him to the auto body program at the Laurel Campus South.

“It wasn’t just about a good job,” Buntain said of his going back to college. “It was something I love to do. Someday, I would like to have my own shop and be able to pass it down to my boys.”

Buntain is very appreciative toward Smith, his auto body instructor. “He’s very knowledgeable. Anything you need to know or any information I need; he’s right there.”

Buntain and all of the students in the Laurel Campus South auto body and auto technology programs were proud to be showing off their work during the car show on Thursday. He pointed out a beautifully restored 1966 Chevrolet Malibu, a truck with hydraulic door and special hydraulic suspension that allows it to lower itself close to the ground or quickly rise up, and a 1952 Mercury Monterey used for racing at local tracks were only a few of the cars on display.

“All of our students have a right to be proud of the work they have done this year,” Smith said. “It’s nice to be able to show people what a fine bunch of students they are.”

For more information about the auto body program or the auto technology programs at the SCC Laurel Campus, contact Jimmy Smith at (606) 878-4753 or toll free at 1-877-629-9722, ext. 14753. He can also be e-mailed at jimmy.smith@kctcs.edu.

Somerset Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution of higher education. SCC has campuses in Somerset and London, centers in Clinton, McCreary, Casey and Russell Counties. The Web site is www.somerset.kctcs.edu. Call for admission and registration information toll free at 1-877-629-9722.

KCTCS serves the commonwealth through 16 community and technical college districts that form a seamless system of 62 campuses open or under construction. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information, visit www.kctcs.edu.

        

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