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It’s automatic for auto students

Joe Estes
ALL |

Casper College in Wyoming offers a variety of 2 year programs. One of those unique programs is the Diesel Automotive and Welding program. Three students from Eagle Valley High School and Red Canyon High School are pursuing that program.

John Saldana and Danny Rivera from Eagle Valley High School, and Joe Estes from Red Canyon High School will be heading to Wyoming this fall to begin the rest of their lives – so to speak. People who work on cars have to love it, but they also have to be good at it. Otherwise, we’d all be fixing our own.

The talent these guys have for working on vehicles is a plus for their future careers.



The Casper program also teaches students how to run a business. None of the three want to end up in the city. Estes’ goal is to someday make enough money to buy a ranch; Saldana’s is to start out working for someone and eventually start a business; and Rivera’s goal is own his own shop. All the guys say that the auto shop classes that were previously offered at the high school were an important factor in their exposure and interest in this career. The guys agree that everyone should be required to take the class. “Everyone needs to know the basics and know when something is wrong,” said Rivera.

Eagle Valley Athletic Director Dave Scott thinks these guys have made a good decision.

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“Four year schools aren’t for everyone. These guys will be making more money than a lot of us,” Scott said.

So how did they find out about Casper College? Rivera says that he learned about it through his mom.

“My mom did a lot of research and found Casper,” he said. Rivera also credits his parents for his strong work ethic.

Saldana says his parents are the same way. “I like hard work and I learned my work ethic from my parents,” he said.

Estes agrees that hard work is an important component to the careers these young men are seeking.

“My dad taught me how to do thing right the first time, instead of having to go back and do them again,” Estes said.

The guys will be working all summer; Rivera at ECO Transit. Saldana will be at Sweetwater Perennials and Estes will be at the horse camp at Sprout Creek in Vail. They’ve appreciated the support they’ve received from their respective schools, and believe vocational education needs to be a mainstay at Eagle Valley High School.

All three are planning on living in the dorms at Casper for the first year. And all three seemed happy about the ratio at Casper – two girls for every guy.

Their advice for younger students varies a little.

“You can do whatever you want,” Rivera said. “You just have to work hard to get there.”

“You can achieve a lot through hard work,” Saldana said.

“Live your life to the fullest,” said Estes.

These guys know that if you have the talent and education to work on cars, the money is good and the rewards will be endless.

“It’s hard to find a good mechanic,” Rivera said.

John Saldana and Danny Rivera from Eagle Valley High School, and Joe Estes from Red Canyon High School will be heading to Wyoming this fall to begin the rest of their lives – so to speak. People who work on cars have to love it, but they also have to be good at it. Otherwise, we’d all be fixing our own.

The talent these guys have for working on vehicles is a plus for their future careers.

The Casper program also teaches students how to run a business. None of the three want to end up in the city. Estes’ goal is to someday make enough money to buy a ranch; Saldana’s is to start out working for someone and eventually start a business; and Rivera’s goal is own his own shop. All the guys say that the auto shop classes that were previously offered at the high school were an important factor in their exposure and interest in this career. The guys agree that everyone should be required to take the class. “Everyone needs to know the basics and know when something is wrong,” said Rivera.

Eagle Valley Athletic Director Dave Scott thinks these guys have made a good decision.

“Four year schools aren’t for everyone. These guys will be making more money than a lot of us,” Scott said.

So how did they find out about Casper College? Rivera says that he learned about it through his mom.

“My mom did a lot of research and found Casper,” he said. Rivera also credits his parents for his strong work ethic.

Saldana says his parents are the same way. “I like hard work and I learned my work ethic from my parents,” he said.

Estes agrees that hard work is an important component to the careers these young men are seeking.

“My dad taught me how to do thing right the first time, instead of having to go back and do them again,” Estes said.

The guys will be working all summer; Rivera at ECO Transit. Saldana will be at Sweetwater Perennials and Estes will be at the horse camp at Sprout Creek in Vail. They’ve appreciated the support they’ve received from their respective schools, and believe vocational education needs to be a mainstay at Eagle Valley High School.

All three are planning on living in the dorms at Casper for the first year. And all three seemed happy about the ratio at Casper – two girls for every guy.

Their advice for younger students varies a little.

“You can do whatever you want,” Rivera said. “You just have to work hard to get there.”

“You can achieve a lot through hard work,” Saldana said.

“Live your life to the fullest,” said Estes.

These guys know that if you have the talent and education to work on cars, the money is good and the rewards will be endless.

“It’s hard to find a good mechanic,” Rivera said.


Support Local Journalism