Up in Tamms—about nine miles as the crow flies from Meridian—you will find a group of Meridian students under the hoods of cars and in command of diagnostic tools honing their automotive mechanic skills. Through this cooperative program with Shawnee Community College, these students are getting their hands dirty as they assemble their futures through the Auto Mechanics program. These students are learning skills that go beyond textbooks, gearing up for futures that could take them just about anywhere. Whether it’s fixing their own cars, making a career in the auto industry, or simply keeping their options open, each student has their own reason for enrolling, and all of them agree: the program is one of the most valuable opportunities they’ve had.

Javion Ransom, a junior, has big plans for his future, but it all starts with a love for cars. "I like cars, and I want to mod them when I get older," Javion says. "Straight pipes, wraps, engine swaps—those are the things I want to learn to do." While the dream of becoming a car modding expert is still taking shape, Javion knows one thing for sure: "I want to know how to fix any car at any given moment, so I don’t have to call someone else when my car needs work."

The Auto Mechanics program is just the beginning for Javion, and he’s determined to use it as a launching pad for bigger things. "It’s not just about learning the basics," he says. "It’s about building skills that will serve me for life, whether I’m fixing up my own car or making a career out of it."

Austin Waddy, another junior, shares a similar mindset, though his path may look a little different. "I joined the program because I thought it was a cool class to do," Austin admits with a grin. "But it’s more than that. I want to learn a few things about cars so I can fix my own car and not have to rely on anyone else." Like Javion, Austin is already thinking ahead to life beyond high school. He’s planning to get his CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) and a business degree from Shawnee Community College. "I’d love to start my own trucking business one day," Austin says. "This program is giving me the skills to be self-reliant, and that’s important no matter what I end up doing."

For Dionte Reed, the motivation to join the Auto Mechanics program comes from family. "My uncle works on cars for a living," Dionte explains. "It’s a hobby for him, but he’s really good at it, and I’ve always looked up to him." When the opportunity to join the program came up, Dionte didn’t hesitate. "I always wanted to learn how to work on cars," he says. "Now I’m getting the chance to do it, and it’s fun." While Dionte hasn’t fully decided if auto mechanics will be his long-term career, he knows the skills he’s learning are valuable and could turn into something bigger. "I could see myself doing this after high school," he says. "But right now, I’m just enjoying the process and seeing where it takes me."

The Auto Mechanics program is more than just a class for these students—it’s a hands-on experience that’s teaching them not only how to repair cars but also how to think critically and solve problems. "It’s about more than just the mechanical part," says Javion. "We’re learning how to diagnose issues, how to fix things step by step, and how to pay attention to detail."

The program is taught at the Shawnee Community College location in Tamms, and while it’s a bit of a commute, the students don’t mind. "We leave school around 12:15 and get there a little after 12:30," Austin explains. "We’ve got a bus, but we can drive ourselves if we want." Once they arrive, it’s all business—or should we say, all cars. "There’s a curriculum, but a lot of it is hands-on," says Javion. "If we mess something up, the instructor shows us what we did wrong and makes us do it over again until we get it right."

The auto industry has changed dramatically over the years, and these students are learning just how complex modern cars can be. "Most new cars have a panel that shows everything that’s going on with the car," Dionte explains. "It’s not like the old days where you could just listen to an engine and figure it out. Now you’ve got to plug the car into a computer to see what’s wrong." But that doesn’t scare them—it excites them. "We’re learning how to work with that technology," says Austin. "It’s part of what makes this program so valuable."

For these juniors, the Auto Mechanics program is about more than just cars—it’s about preparing for life after high school. Whether they choose to stay local or explore opportunities elsewhere, they’re gaining skills that will make them valuable in the workforce. "I could stay here, or I could go somewhere else," says Dionte. "But either way, I’ll always have these skills to fall back on."

And it’s not just the students who benefit from the program. For the Meridian community, having access to a skilled trades program like Auto Mechanics is an important asset. With fewer young people pursuing skilled trades, programs like this are essential for filling the growing demand for workers who can keep cars—and society—running smoothly. "These skills are needed everywhere," says Javion. "And this program is giving us the chance to learn them while we’re still in high school."

This program gives students valuable professional leverage, and their commitment to that will always make our community proud. The Auto Mechanics program is helping young people build lives that can take them anywhere, while also preparing them to fill essential roles in the workforce. Whether it’s opening their own businesses, working for established shops, or simply knowing how to fix their own cars, these students are gearing up for success—and the road ahead looks bright.