Greasing the system
is the vehicle for help

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Ron Preiss was an Archbishop Ryan High School senior in September 1977 when Swenson Skills Center opened.
Preiss attended Swenson two days a week as part of a co-op program and was a member of its first graduating class.
Today, Swenson is a full academic high school, and Preiss is a teacher in the highly regarded automotive program at West Philadelphia High School.
Last week, Preiss returned to Swenson for a news conference at which the American Suzuki Motor Corp. announced the donation of 12 vehicles to five automotive programs in the School District of Philadelphia.
"All of these dealers are screaming for qualified technicians," he said. "This is one way to solve that problem. It’s phenomenal what these guys are doing for our kids."
The schools that will be receiving the vehicles are Alvin Swenson Arts and Technology, West Philadelphia, Jules Mastbaum, Thomas Edison and A. Phillip Randolph. About 360 students are members of the automotive programs at those schools.
The vehicles were made from 2003-06 and are valued at more than $128,000. The models are the Aerio, Forenza, Verona, Grand Vitara and XL-7.
Swenson will get to keep three of the vehicles.
"They’re not right off the line, but they’re classified as new cars," said principal Dave Kipphut.
Kipphut is equally as excited that Suzuki will be welcoming teachers to learn at its training center and will create a computer hookup at schools so students can learn from its professional mechanics.
The company had earlier donated engines and transmissions, and DeSimone Suzuki welcomes students as interns and co-op employees.
"It’s not just the cars," said Kipphut, adding that the next step for his school is to secure a hybrid car.
The school district and Suzuki have been working together formally for three years.
Lawrence Brinkley, the district’s career and technical education coordinator, met DeSimone Automotive Group president Gene DeSimone at a gathering of the Automotive Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia. They quickly developed a working relationship.
"It’s a beautiful thing to work with Gene DeSimone," Brinkley said.
There’s a natural partnership between Swenson and DeSimone Suzuki, since the school and car dealership are neighbors near Red Lion Road and Roosevelt Boulevard.
At the same time, the company wanted to reach out to other automotive programs in city high schools.
"It’s good to develop a strong relationship with the community," explained Christopher Green, compliance manager for American Suzuki’s Eastern Region.
School district officials said the donations would allow the students to learn in a hands-on manner — the best way to prepare them for the industry.
"We are so grateful to Suzuki," said Lissa Johnson, superintendent of the school district’s Northeast Region.
Students usually work on staff members’ vehicles or retired cars from the school district fleet.
Now, they will have the chance to look under the hoods of some different automobiles.
"These are very nice cars," said Swenson junior Nick Ciomyk. "The students will be able to work privately and pay more attention."
Jim Smith, a veteran vocational teacher at Swenson, oversees the students who will work on the mechanics of the vehicles. He recalls State Farm Insurance making a similar donation of vehicles for students whose focus is on collision care.
Smith said students would benefit from working on the Suzuki-donated vehicles.
"It’s a great thing to be able to learn on newer technology cars," he said.
The students are glad that the school district and Suzuki have formed a partnership.
"These are much better cars. It’s very exciting to have a new car to work on," said Swenson senior Tyler White.
Added junior Faatimah Abbott: "We’ll be working on something modern and be up to date on new technology." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com