How does one combine a love of art and the thrill of racing? Why in the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center’s (CVCC) Auto Body Repair and Refinishing Program. For Cuyahoga Heights High School (CHHS) junior Suellyn “Sue” Crook, choosing this program was a natural choice. She enjoys hands-on work, learning new techniques, and seeing her skills grow. Her enthusiasm and commitment has led to her being selected as December’s featured CHHS student for the CVCC’s “Student Connection”.
“Sue is a wonderful student,” said her instructor Michael Kapus. “She approaches her schoolwork with dedication, always shows up with a smile, and greets everyone with a cheerful ‘Good morning’. She’s quick to offer help to her classmates and continually exceeds expectations in both her class participation and her professionalism. In short, she’s a standout all-around student.”
While Sue’s ultimate dream is to race cars professionally (F1, if she could choose!), she’s eager to get started in the auto body field. She’s especially enthusiastic about taking part in work- based learning, an opportunity that allows students to gain real on-the-job experience during school hours while earning both credit and a paycheck. Though she has enjoyed everything about class so far, she especially loves sanding and buffing car panels and spending time in the paint booth.
Sue also values the unique opportunities CVCC has given her. A CVCC Student Ambassador for CHHS, she’ll travel to Washington, D.C. with the other student ambassadors later this school year to meet with legislators, discuss policy, and advocate for Career-Technical Education (CTE) funding and initiatives that support CTE programs.
Outside of class, Crook helps with lighting and backstage production for CHHS’s musical. She also enjoys drawing, writing, playing video games, and (of course) working on cars.
Starting at a new school can be overwhelming, said Crooks, but she adjusted easily, and has enjoyed meeting new people who are attending for similar reasons. “I truly love being here,” said Crooks about her experience at CVCC. “I actually enjoy school now, and my attendance has improved immensely. It’s such a friendly environment, and Mr. Kapis is seriously the best – he makes class fun. Every day feels like working in a real auto body shop.”