Ray Varner Ford and Ford Motor Company have donated a Ford Focus to Anderson County High School for use in the CTE program auto maintenance and light repair.

Teacher David Wood said the car will give students hands-on experience in diagnosing both electronic and mechanical situations. And he’s got the manual on setting up “bugs” for the students to discover and fix.

Wood and Alexander McConnell teach the auto repair course that extends over four years.

Students were excited about the gift. Josh Moles, a senior, thanked everyone involved. Moles plans a career in the military after graduation.

Willie Houston, a Ford field service engineer for 31 dealerships, praised the program at Anderson County. He said the car is an outright gift, not a loaner. In an interview afterwards, Houston said he’s worked for Ford dealerships for almost 20 years – the last nine for the motor company itself.

He said graduates of the Anderson County program can expect to start at $30,000 as a dealership mechanic and then increase their pay based on “experience, knowledge and drive.” He said top technicians earn six-figure salaries. What’s the role of intuition in car repairs?

“The more technical the cars get the less intuitive the repairs and maintenance.”

Dr. Tim Parrott, director of schools, thanked Ray Varner Ford. He said the school system gets “great support” from every dealership.

Austin Covington, a senior, said he’s not looking for further training right now. “I’m ready to go to work.”

Robert Blanchard said he will enroll in the Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Jacksboro after his graduation from high school. “I’ve been working on cars since I was 12.”

Tanner Loy agreed. These seniors said it wasn’t hard to choose the auto repair course as freshmen.

And what about Ray Varner? “Ford Motor Company made this donation possible,” he said, “and I’m just here smiling.”

Anderson County school board member Jo Williams talks with Ray Varner, who teamed up with Ford Motor Company to donate a Ford Focus to the Anderson County CTE program. Director of Schools Dr. Tim Parrott also attended the presentation.

Willie Houston, representing Ford Motor Company, stands with David Wood and Alexander McConnell, ACHS teachers of auto maintenance and light repair.