Submitted By: Eden Area ROP
Student Background
Derrick Deo is a second year student in the Auto Body and Paint program. Derrick made his way to the program from Arroyo High School, excited that he had an opportunity to learn a trade that his father practiced when they lived in Fiji.
Derrick was very quiet when he entered the class, and had little interaction with other students. His teacher encouraged him to enter the Skills USA competition. Derrick signed up for the Auto Refinishing contest, jumped in with both feet and studied hard. Derrick ended up getting 2nd Place in the state of California; this also came with a scholarship to UTI for $5,000. Derrick, desiring to win 1st Place, is continuing with the program and competing during his senior year.
Program Description
The Automotive Refinishing and Painting program is designed to provide students with skills and hands-on instruction in the auto body industry. The course focuses on learning shop safety, metal repair, pick and fill, welding, cutting, panel replacement, and trade ethics. Students also learn surface preparation, painting and detailing skills, project planning, team work, airbrush art design, and estimating. The class uses the latest water based painting system by PPG. As the law for greener paint systems became a requirement in 2010, this water-based system is the latest technology that students can use to prepare for the auto refinishing and painting industry.
Outcomes
Derrick is doing really well this year in class. He has already received 1st Place in the Region 2 Skills USA competition and is excited about returning to state. When Derrick graduates from high school, he plans on attending UTI in Sacramento and becoming a certified technician.