High School and College Students Events
Student Cars & Shows
Jun 2 — Shelton, WA; Mason County Forest Festival Car Show-Off
Olympic Highway North, Shelton, WA 98584; 8:00am — 3:00pm; No Adm. Fee; Reg. Fee — $15; Shelton High School NJROTC Booster Club; 360 229 1889; njrotcboosterclub@gmail.com
Jun 8 — Mount Vernon, WA; Skagit Valley College Car Show
Skagit Valley College, 2405 E College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273; 8:00am — 3:00pm; No Adm. Fee; Reg. Fee — $10; Skagit Valley College Automotive Club; 360 416 7661; scott.hall@skagit.edu
In the Rearview Mirror:
High School Students Organize and Host Small Town Show
Country town’s high school students grow a car show
ACE: Automobile Club of Echo High School
By: Emeline Denning
Echo Car Show, slated for May 25 in downtown historical Echo, Oregon that is sponsored and organized by the student car club will have 15 entry classes plus “At least I have a car” class.
Although Echo High School may be small, it has its own student car club. With less than 150 high school students in a town of about 700-plus, Echo school is a small K‑12 district located 20 miles west of Pendleton, Oregon. It may be small but it still possesses a lot of activity. The ACE Car Club was formed in 2002 when the now-retired shop teacher, Mr. Olsen, was approached by three students that had an interest in cars and wanted to start a club.
Though Echo High School has no automotive program, the club has been well received over the past 10 years with member numbers varying from 4 to 15 depending on the year. Students are given the opportunity to work on their own vehicles and others that are donated by the local community. The student also do local fundraisers to finance club outings to local drag strips, car shows and what has become an annual trip to the Portland Roadster Show, as well as the experience of working together to create what has become a very successful car show.
The club’s first car show was held in front of the school in 2005 with six student and teacher’s cars on display during school hours. Every year more cars were invited. In 2011, the show had grown too large to hold in front of the school and was moved to the football field; local car clubs were asked to join. That year produced 22 cars. At the end of the show, the club was approached by local business owners and the city about holding the show down town in 2012.
In 2012, the club had only four members and the future of the club was questionable, however; the members were dedicated. After Christmas break, planning started for what would be their biggest car show to date. Students sharpened their welding skills making trophies out of old car parts donated by supporters. Flyers were made and with the help of the city, local businesses, current Ag teacher Chelcee Noland and parent volunteer Rick Denning, the show proved to be a huge success.
The proof was in the result of the 51 cars that participated. The car show also gave the football and volleyball teams an opportunity to fundraise for camps. The football team served burgers and hot dogs while the volleyball team served refreshments (which they will be doing again this year).
This year the club has 14 members and has had an eventful year! The club made a trip to the Walla Walla drag strip in the fall and has performed service to the community by making repairs on the Cemetery district’s pickup (bringing it back to life so to speak). As spring approaches plans are in the works to have Les Schwab Tires come to the school and do a tire seminar for all of the students.
The Car Show planning is in the works! Trophies are being made, flyers are made, being mailed and posted. It’s just around the corner. Students and car enthusiasts are all looking forward to the show!
Car enthusiasts can support Echo students by bringing their cars out to the show on May 25. Contact Echo High School at 541 376 8436 or Rick Denning, ACE parent/volunteer at 541 571 4417 for details or visit www.facebook.com/ACEAutomobileClubofEchoHighSchool.
Editors Note: Emeline Denning, 16 years old, wants to go into journalism with a minor in music, simply because she enjoys writing and music.
Rick and his wife, Brenda, are the parents of both Emeline and Ryan, age 18, who are both active members of the ACE Club. Rick, a truck technician uses his spare time to help at the school and car club. “Working with the Club kids is exciting for me”, stated Rick. “I’ve watched most of these kids grow up since grade school, and have seen a couple past members continue on in the truck or automotive field.” Rick’s next project is help some other car enthusiasts start a domestic and import club in Hermiston, OR.