Page 6 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 Northeast Metro Tech students partner with nonprofit to repair vehicle for area veteran Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma Everett Aluminum 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 57 Years! “Same name, phone number & address for family since 1958 • 63 over half a century. We must be doing something right!” •Vinyl Siding •Free Estimates •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Decks •Roofing • Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! WAKEFIELD – Superintendent David DiBarri of Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School (Northeast Metro Tech) is pleased to share that students recently presented a vehicle they repaired to a local veteran. Students worked with instructors to repair a donated 2004 Toyota Prius and award it to a veteran, in partnership with Second Chance Cars, a Concordbased nonprofi t that awards affordable donated cars to working people and the nonprofi t’s partners at Bedford Veterans Affairs, American Consumer Credit Counseling and Metro Credit Union. Starting in April, approximately 11 sophomore auto body students worked on the vehicle, under the guidance of Instructor Robert MacGregor. Students performed minor bodywork and gave the car a complete paint job. It was the fi rst time the students had worked on a “live” car that someone would later drive, not a practice vehicle. “They were excited to have the opportunity to perform repairs on a vehicle that would be provided to a veteran in need,” MacGregor said. In late May, Automotive Technology students, under the instruction of John Clune, replaced the front brake pads and rotors. “It’s so meaningful for students to have a chance to use their knowledge to make a positive impact on someone else’s life,” DiBarri said. “It brings their learning to the next level, truly, and it is always a pleasure for us to work with Second Chance Cars. Community partnerships like this are an amazing example for students of the diff erence people can make by working together.” Students, staff and representatives of Second Chance Cars came together on Monday, June 7, to present the vehicle to Benjamin Baia of Leominster, who served in the Marine Corps from 2014 to 2018. During that time, he earned the rank of Sergeant as well as his black belt from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. His military occupational specialty was fi eld artillery fi re direction controlman. “I honestly can’t thank everybody who put in the work and time to make this happen – I can’t thank them enough,” Baia said. Baia chose not to re-enlist in order to spend more time with his mother, who was seriously ill and later passed away. Baia has lost both parents, but despite the hardships he’s faced has a happy life today. He is currently pursuing an associate’s degree in Fire Science at Mount Wachusett Community College and hopes to become a fi refi ghter. In the short term he is looking to become an armed security guard. He is happily married and has a stepson he adores and two dogs. Sharing a car with his wife has posed a signifi cant challenge, however, and the repaired Prius will alleviate that hurdle and limitations it posed to job and education opportunities. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 781-286-8500 or Info@advocatenews.net Summer is Here!
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