Page 4 - TransSummer2023

4 | Transportation Today Wisconsin™ Online Edition: www.transportationtodaywi.com

New Berlin Motorcycle BUILD

Neither of the district’s
high schools offer an
automotive class, but
instead, the district
partners with Wauke-
sha County Technical
College to provide
opportunities for stu-
dents to take various
classes for college
credit. Many times,
the courses offered
by WCTC would be
too cost-prohibitive
for individual high
schools or public
school districts to offer
on their own.
Annually, dozens of SDNB students “It’s really important that the district
enroll at WCTC and earn college credits while offers opportunities like BUILD to show stu-
in high school. dents this field that’s growing and needs more
One of those such students is 2022 West people in it,” Matthew said. “And if they like
David Cotey, Director of Communications of their mentors, and they can expect to learn graduate Matthew Cannon. Matthew learned working with their hands and get bored sitting
and Public Relations how to weld; cut, shape and form metal; use about BUILD at a STEM fair the district in a classroom, this is another thing they can
School District of New Berlin machines such as a lathe, mill and drill press; hosted when he was in middle school. He do to be creative and use different skills.”
Every Wednesday after school and into and learn about the painting processes such as already had an interest in racing and cars, and
the early evening hours, a handful of New powder coating and spraying paint on parts. knew BUILD was for him when he joined as
Berlin high school students get together at the But there’s more to it than just building a a freshmen. Four years later, he earned his
district office’s garage and warehouse. motorcycle. The students are involved in fund- associate degree in automotive technology at www.nbexcellence.org
In one corner, you’ll find two people raising for the program, managing the team’s WCTC.
donning welding helmets, a student care- social media platforms and more. And come
fully following his mentor’s instructions as May, they take their bike to several racing
he tries his hand at welding for the first time. venues to compete against other high school
Another student grips a SAWZALL and works BUILD programs from across the state.
diligently to modify a frame, nodding along in “We’re a team. We look out for each
agreement as his mentor offers suggestions. other and help each other and that’s what it’s
Other students gather around and work all about, said one of the club advisors, Doug
on removing a tire from a rim, while a couple Giesfeldt, who is on the district’s buildings and
others test and replace the battery needed to grounds staff in the maintenance department.
bring their creation to life. ”They’re getting some hands-on skills
These students - and their mentors - are that they might not get otherwise. Myself, and
part of the School District of New Berlin’s the other mentors, we all grew up working
BUILD vintage motorcycle club. From on stuff. It’s beneficial for these kids. Maybe
January through May, the Eisenhower and one of them will turn out to be a motorcycle
West students learn the many tasks required to mechanic, or auto mechanic, but if not, they
take a street-legal motorcycle and turn it into a learn how to fix things on their own car or bike
flat track racing cycle. in their garage someday.”
There are more than a dozen students The club, which benefits from its many
in the club, which has been offered in New sponsors and partnerships throughout the area,
Berlin since the 2014-15 school year. They has not only sparked students’ understanding
perform the entire deconstruction and rebuild and fondness of motorcycle culture, it has also
of the motorcycle under the close supervision raised students’ interests in auto mechanics.

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