Motorvation

  Four years ago, WOODS Vocational Teacher Richard Dudding had an idea. Why not introduce his students to a lifetime hobby of his that he had enjoyed since he was even younger than they were? Finding no reason not to, Dudding initiated his students into the world of Demolition Derby.

  Perhaps not the most attractive or alluring of all the variations of motor racing in the world, but Demolition Derby racing gave Dudding the perfect opportunity to meld three important concepts into a single cohesive activity: teaching auto mechanics, recycling, and fun.

  Certainly, the auto mechanics teaching component would easily fit into the world of demolition derbies. But what about recycling?

  Dudding and his students build their race cars from donated automobiles that their former owners are ready to park on the junk heap. Essentially, having them demolished is almost an improvement for some of these ‘junkers’. Once an old clunker is dragged or pushed into Dudding’s shop, the first stage of recycling is over and the mechanics instruction kicks into high gear.

  "We bring in an old car and totally dismantle it. The only thing left inside is the steering wheel, the shifter, the brake and accelerator pedals. Then we install a safety cage which protects the driver," explained Dudding.

The body comes completely off the car and then the frame is inspected for rust damage and structural weakness. Designed weak spots, called crush points, are reworked to take away their flexibility and give the vehicle frame more strength and additional protection for the driver.

  Then work begins on the engines.

  "We completely tear down the engines and transmissions and make sure all the components are good. If not, we put in new rings, bearings, timing components, and rebuild carburetors. Transmissions get new clutches and new differentials; plus the gear ratio has to be changed," said Dudding.

  While Dudding could, and has, taught all these same skills in a more traditional vocational manner, he finds that since the students are working toward the definite goal watching their work driving around the race ring, not only does their motivation increase, so does their satisfaction in completing their work.

  "The main thing I try to stress to the kids is just have fun. Actually, they get a lot of hands on learning that they wouldn’t get anywhere else. When they tear a car down they get a complete knowledge of the internal components of a vehicle. Most people can’t even change the oil."

  Dudding’s students learn enough about automobiles and how they function to perform all the basic maintenance on their own vehicles someday. Furthermore, some students learn they have a great affinity for this type of work and plan to pursue auto mechanics as a career. At that point, they will need to enroll in a program with greater resources than WOODS offers. Vehicles today have many advanced computerized systems that WOODS is not equipped to teach. However, the basic overview Dudding provides does give his students a good head start.

  Students frequently recycle their attitudes during the course of the class. Many of the WOODS residents have anger management issues to contend with. Dudding has found that wrestling rusty fenders off old cars and freeing up frozen nuts and bolts provide healthy outlets for pent up anger and aggression.

 

  "After the car is finished and it accomplishes something, the kids feel better about themselves. They have the great experience of starting something and finishing it. This gives them a sense of pride. Some of our kids come in angry at the world. They’ve never done anything besides sit behind the remote on a television or a video game. Once they get into this program, some really shine. Some will go on to trade schools," said Dudding.

  Once the cars have been rebuilt, it’s time to race. Dudding, who has driven in demolition derbies for years, climbs behind the wheel while his students cheer from the sidelines. The class has built four cars in four years and each car has reached the finals multiple times over the course of their ‘season’.

  With trophies, photos, and memories to show for their time and effort, not to mention a far more detailed understanding of how an automobile functions, Dudding’s students are then ready for the next round of recycling. When the season is over and the car is finished, the students take out their tools once more and completely dismantle the vehicle and sell it for scrap. Any parts that are still in good enough condition to re-use go on a shelf to await new life in the next car. Everything else gets sold. Proceeds from each car help pay for any parts needed for the next vehicle the class revives for demolition. Students learn and practice new skills, vehicles destined for the junk heap are utilized far beyond what their previous owners would have imagined, an already respectable program gains a new way of improving the skills it teaches participants. Certainly, a combination worthy of a checkered flag.

Higher Education

  A great many of our residents come to us a grade or two behind their peers in the classroom. Some struggle with truancy issues while others simply have not been given the necessary attention that is often absent in too many overcrowded schools nowadays. It is a struggle for the teachers at HopeTree Academy to keep the students focused on their work load while getting them to believe in themselves. However, with patience and diligence the teachers do see success. Within a year, most students are caught up with their school work and will either return home or continue their education at HopeTree.

  What is more impressive, is the growing number of graduates from HopeTree Academy continuing their education when they leave. The encouragement and networking efforts from the staff foster the interests and confidence in students to take the next step once they receive their diplomas.

  Recent graduates Kaylah and Scottie already have their career paths lined up, having enrolled for classes at Virginia Western Community College already. With the upcoming Personal Development class (Caring Times, August 2010) I think we will be seeing more students discovering their talents and interests and finding ways to pursue them as careers.

  The staff at HopeTree Academy, as well as the cottage counselors and social workers, and very good at getting the residents to believe in themselves. Once the residents have taken that step, the sky is the limit.

Appreciating Vacation for What it Really is

  My annual summer vacation is approaching ever-so-slowly and soon I will only be thinking about three things: the beach, sleeping in, and . . . well . . . the beach. Okay, so maybe it's only two things but that's only because the beach means so many things to me. It means relaxation, reading a good book, and most importantly, time with my family. The latter I cannot stress the importance of enough.

  Sometimes I take it for granted how lucky I am to have such a great family. I often think of our residents and their family lives and how they probably don't view vacation in the same light that I do. That is, if they've even had the opportunity to go on vacation at all. HopeTree is fortunate enough to have an active and enthusiastic Activities Coordinator that provides plenty of fun experiences for our residents.

  I just recently read an email about an upcoming trip to King's Dominion for our residents, just one of several trips this summer. It warms my heart to know that they will be able to have their fun in the sun, but at the same time, I think about what means the most to me. It is important to us for cultivate the idea of family here at HopeTree; in the cottages and in the classrooms. We provide that element that was absent in many of our residents' lives and, when possible, mend those relationships at home.

The First Chapter of HopeTree Academy Comes to an End

  On a warm, sunny, Friday afternoon the campus Chapel was filled with students, staff, and faculty to celebrate all the hard work the students and teachers of HopeTree Academy had put in throughout the past ten months. The ceremony serves as a consummation of the school year before the students move on to summer jobs, summer vacations, or summer school.
 
  One at a time, each teacher presents several awards to various students based on criteria such as highest grades, best behavior, and most improvement. This is one of my favorite parts of the school year because it reveals a moment of transparent candor among the students. Even the most resistant and apathetic student shows a noticeable appreciation when they are recognized for an award.
 
  A lot of our students also deal with issues of self confidence. The wide scope of awards given allows for students who might not have the best grades to realize that they do possess value. There is a quality about them that others can see and appreciate.

  Too often in life, we do not stop to appreciate these qualities in the people in our lives. Whether it's the person in the office who always has the coffee pot freshly brewed (thanks David!) or a coworker giving you a ride to pick up your car at lunch, a simple "thank you" always goes a long way.

  To this year's graduates, I wish you the best of luck. Keep in touch.

An Eventful Weekend

  In the last five days I've seen puppies, hot dogs, story tellers, karate kicks, and Frank Beamer. I don't think too many people can make that claim. The Hot Diggity Dog & Tall Tales Festival on Saturday was a fun, albeit windy, day. People enjoyed being able to bring their dogs to the HopeTree campus and participate in the Cutest Dog Competition (sadly, my dog did not win). There were plenty of hot dogs for everyone and the Homestead Creamery's ice cream was fantastic.

  The Tall Tales Competition was incredibly entertaining and something I look forward to even more next year. This year's winner's story about training a fish to be his out-of-water pet had me in stitches. The entire event exceeded all of my expectations.

  More recently, I had the opportunity to hear Virginia Tech Head Coach Frank Beamer speak at our Hopes & Dreams Gala last night at The Hotel Roanoke. As he spun story after story about how just one specific event -- good or bad -- can be all a person is remembered for, I thought of our at-risk youth at HopeTree. What will they be remembered for? What will their legacy be? Our dedicated chaplain, teachers, social workers and cottage staff work each day to make HopeTree a positive experience for our residents. Maybe one resident will be remembered at HopeTree as the person who excelled in Vocational class and learned a new trade, or earned top grades, or gave their life over to Christ and became a positive role model to others.

  Whether we are in high school, college, a new job, or even a festival, life moves pretty fast. Before we know it, it will be over and we will be on to the next phase of life. So while we are here, what do we want to be remembered for?

  This current school semester has been a little different for me. First of all, I'm referring to a time period as a "school semester", something usually reserved for students and teachers and not someone who works in Development & Communications. This semester, however, I have been teaching a Digital Journalism class to one of the students at HopeTree Academy.

  It has been quite an experience for me and I've loved every minute of it. I have been blessed with a student who is well behaved and eager to learn. I have learned patience when explaining how a complicated program works to someone with little prior knowledge of it. I have been humbled by being asked questions I don't know the answer to, only to find out the answer and learn something new myself.

  We color corrected old pictures with a horrible yellow background. We enhanced photos to make them more eye catching. We practiced photography, journalism, and design layout. We shared laughs, traded stories, and became frustrated when a program wouldn't do what we wanted it to do.

  Sure, the class takes time out of my day and I have to plan the rest of my work around it. I also have to prepare material for each class and follow a rough course outline. But it is so important to me to know that a student at HopeTree Academy has an option like this and can develop their interests. Certainly other schools have similar courses that teach similar skills, but nowhere else will a students be able to build a one-on-one relationship with a teacher and have hands-on experience that will take them to the next level.

  Today I had the blessing of attending and giving the invocation for the dedication of the Bledsoe Home, our newest DDM home on our Salem Campus.  While looking around the room, the world "hospitality" came to mind.  The home is warm and inviting, and impeccably decorated.  Yet even more welcoming were the people it contained, from the excited residents with their proud families, to the dedicated staff, our administrative staff who have worked so hard to pull it all together, and sponsors including our board, architect, and friends.  While our gifts are all different, it took all of them working together to make this dream a reality.  From the person who made the punch, to those who cleaned and readied the house, to those who see to all the day-to-day details, all were working from a sense of hospitality.  We get this passion from God, who in his grace is so welcoming to us and gives freely of his many gifts.  When we have received God's love, we can't help but share it with others, extending God's hospitality.  And through it all, God's love is revealed to the world.

  In 1 Corinthians 3:6, the apostle Paul says, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow."

  In your work this week, think about what kind of seeds you are planting and who will continue the work, but above all, trust in God who makes it grow.

Rev. Jenny Frazier Call, M.Div.  
Director of Christian Education 
HopeTree Family Services