By PAIGE CARR

Staff writer

Area students will have another option available starting in August. Peabody-Burns High School will be home to Auto Technology Early College Academy through Butler Community College.

Juniors and seniors can take automotive and general education courses that will apply toward an associate degree from Butler.

A “come check it out” meeting for students interested in this new opportunity is from 6 to 8p.m Monday at Peabody-Burns High School.

Non-high school students also can apply based on space available.

The program includes 42 hours of coursework toward an associate’s degree in automotive technology with a pathway for completion of the degree in two semesters at Butler’s El Dorado campus.

“I’m very excited about it,” Principal Scott Kimble said. “It’s a great opportunity for our school and community. It’s a way that our school and community can come together for everyone’s advantage.”

Sophomore Isaiah Andres’ longtime love of everything automotive made the choice to apply for the program an easy one.

“I’ve liked cars ever since I was 7 or 8 years old,” he said.

Andres said advice from his father also played a part in his decision to utilize the program.

“My dad told me to find something I’m passionate about and to use it as a career,” he said. “Cars are definitely something I’m passionate about. I’ll start out as a mechanic and hopefully will be a master mechanic someday. If I’m a master mechanic, I can get a job at Chevy, Ford, or Dodge and be more involved in the process of ways cars are made.”

Andres said that not having to travel for classes was another benefit.

“Just the fact that it’s in my backyard, I get a jumpstart,” he said.

Kimble said even if a student is unable to finish the last two semesters that they will still have enough certification right out of high school to be successful.

“It gives them employable skills,” he said. “If for some reason Isaiah couldn’t finish, he would still have six out of eight certifications and do light maintenance work on vehicles and be employable.”