by Wendall Waters | Staff Writer
Tuesday is a great day for a shout-out to Medford students.
Three Medford auto technology students were honored during the 4th Annual Second Chance Cars, Inc., Community Partner Dinner held on March 26 at Medford High School. In addition, many other students stepped up to support the event.
Second Chance Cars is a non-profit that partners with technical schools to have donated cars repaired or refurbished and then given to veterans, single parents, and people re-entering their communities after serving time. For students, the cars are a hands-on education. The recipients receive an affordable vehicle that will help them get a job or improve their current work situation.
During the March 26 event, senior Devon Santos and juniors Brayeny Araujo Nobre and Erik Antillon were each honored with a starter tool set to help them launch their careers.
In addition, Medford School Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Galusi said, students from a number of different departments provided support:
- Auto tech students presented restored cars to two deserving women.
- Culinary students prepared car-themes mocktails and appetizers.
- Carpentry students built custom tables.
- Film and TV production students captured photos and videos.
Chad Fallon, who is Medford’s executive director of career and technical education, said he started the partnership with Second Chance Cars four years ago. In a write-up for the event, Fallon recognized the contribution of the Second Chance Cars Vocational Student Employment Fund.
“This fund is all about supporting students as they take that next step into the workforce,” he wrote. “For many of our students, the barrier isn’t skill or motivation—it’s access. Access to the tools, equipment, and resources they need to get started in the field.”
The SCC fund, he wrote, helps to remove that barrier by providing starter tools or uniforms or supporting driver’s education.
“What I appreciate most is that this is about more than just tonight—it’s about setting students up for success beyond high school,” Fallon wrote. “It’s about giving them a real opportunity to enter the auto tech and collision fields with confidence and the right tools in hand.”