By Jennifer Tangeman
Whether she is tuning up a car or treating a patient, teachers agree Shelby Simpson is an ideal student.
Simpson, a senior at Century Career Center, is a student in two different areas at the vocational school — the auto service and he certified nursing aide programs.
“She’s a delight,” said Wilda Reeser, Simpson’s nursing teacher . “She works really hard, and she is on task. She is a leader in the class, really.”
Simpson started her career at the vocational school in the school of advanced manufacturing, and said she was the only female in the auto service program when she started two years ago.
“I show up all the guys on everything,” she said. “They come to me to ask for help.”
The senior said growing up watching her stepfather work as a machinist sparked her interest in auto service. She began at Century Career Center with classes in welding and machine trades.
“I really like doing this; it’s all hands on,” Simpson said. “There is no book work.”
Throughout her two years in the auto service program, Simpson has learned to build a motor, perform oil changes, do tire rotations and alignment and complete tune-ups.
“I will do just about anything they throw at me,” Simpson said.
Richard Strohl, the auto service program teacher, said Simpson was learning life-long skills.
“I always tell my students you may not want to become a mechanic, but these skills can stop you from getting ripped off or knowing how to change a tire can save your life,” Strohl said.
Strohl described Simpson as one of his better students.
“She has a willingness to learn,” he said. “She is interested in the work and that is not the case with most girls in this program. A lot of girls will join this program just because they know there will be a lot of guys in it.”
Strohl nominated Simpson as the program’s skilled scholar for the fall semester this year. The honor is bestowed to one student per program each semester.
The teacher wrote on Simpson’s nomination that she had grown a lot within the auto field in her two years in the program.
“She helps teach first-year students and she gives females confidence,” Strohl wrote.
Simpson said she decided to join the certified nursing aide program this year after spending her summer working at Miller’s Merry Manor.
“I got to work with the dietary department and see what the nurses there do,” Simpson said. “And I like to be able to take care of people.”
In her four months in the program, she has learned basic nursing care such as bathing, grooming, dressing and vital signs. She has also learned different disease processes.
Reeser said at the conclusion of this school year, Simpson will be eligible to take the state’s certified nursing aide test that could earn her certification from the health department.
Of the two vocations, Simpson said she wants to pursue auto service after graduating high school. She plans to attend a technical college to continue learning automotive skills. She said one day she would like to open her own auto service shop.
• Jennifer Tangeman is a reporter for the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5148 or jennifer.tangeman@pharostribune.com.
