1989

\{EEK OF ~....' _ _._______ ft_~_i_

Two Sets of Brothers Learn Auto Mechanics and ECCC

Students enrolled in the East Cen– t ral Community College Auto Mechanics program have ranged from young to old, in-district to out– of-district, and come from many diversified backgrounds. Now, for the flfSt time, not one, but two sets of brothers are enrolled in the vocational program. And, all four students exhibit a keen knowledge of the auto mechanics field and will become "tremendous assets" when they enter the work– ing world, according to instructors Robbie Pearson and James McNair. The brothers enrolled in the pro– gram a re Timothy Frazier, 22, and 1\Ucbael Frazier, 23, who live in the Bogue Chitto Community on the Choctaw Indian Reservation, and J essie Sanders, 29, and Tony Sanders~ 20, of Forest. Of the two Frazier brothers, Timothy has a slight edge education-wise as he has received the one-year Basic Automotive Mechauics certificate and will earn the advanced degree in December, 1989. Michael is scheduled to receive his Basic Automotive Mechanics certificte in May, 1989. Besides being enrolled in the same program, the Frazier brothers also attended ChoctawCentral High School together and were members of the football team, which captured the conference title their jwlior year. They graduated in 1985.

The two young men said their father, the late Leroy Frazier, gave them their first " taste" of the auto mechanics field while youngsters. Timothy said their father, who died in December, 1987, worked on automobiles at their house and first showed them how to rebuild an engine. Michael said having that early ex– posure and training from their father was a tremendous asset in preparing for East Central's auto mechanics curriculum. The Frazier brothers are obvious– ly dedicated students as they arise about 5 a. m. each school day and commute 80 miles to receive their education. Students enrolled in the Auto Mechanics program begin the school day at 8 a. m . Two hours are spent daily in the classroom with four hours reserved for shop instruc– tion. The school day ends at about 2:45 p. m . The Fraziers said they have received "a lot of valuable instruc– tion and experience" from the East Central instructors who they said allow students to work on various types of vehicles-domestic and foreign. "It's almost like actually working at a mechanics shop or dealership because we have so many vehicles to work on that are brought in from the public. So we obviously have to

do a good job to please our customers," Timothy said. Michael said the work sometimes gets a little frustrating expecially when the vehicles involved include foreign automobiles or big jobs like putting a motor in a dump truck, "which can sometimes take a long time." "But with a little patience and assistance from the instructors, we finally complete those tougher jobs and look forward to the next challenge," Michael said. Besides the high quality of in– struction received, Timothy and Michael said they also enjoy work· ing with the other students and have a "good relationship" with all those enrolled in the program. The Fraziers said they are looking forward to entering the job market but wish their father was alive to see them succeed in the auto mechanics field. However, they said their mother, Bobbye, and other family members are obviously proud of their ac· complishments. Mrs. Frazier has four sons and two daughters and all but one daughter live at home. After graduation, Timothy and Michael said they hope to work in a mechanics shop or local dealership. Jessie Sanders is completing his second year in the Auto Mechanics program and will receive the ad– vance certificate in May, 1989. He was presented the one-year Basic Auto Mechanics certificate during graduation ceremonies held in May, 1988. Tony will receive his certificate from the Basic Automoti ve Mechanics program this May. Both brothers are graduates of Sebastopol high school. Jessie, who received his high school diploma in 1976, held various jobs until deciding to enroll at East Central in 1987 Just like a brother Tony, Jesste decided to attend East Central because of the qualit)- of instruction and the short distance from thetr home. The Sanders live a few miles north of Forest and estimate they travel about 65 miles daily to receive their training and instruction. Their older brother, Joseph, also SC attended East Central and corn– U, pleted the Aut 'tech . rues program HI in 1986. They satd Joseph has :;poken highly of the vocational program 11E and recommended the course of study. Joseph is employed at Davis Chevrolet in Forest.

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