De Anza Auto Tech

It seems as if every year, Tony Argiropulos, owner of Mercedes Exclusively, donates money to Auto Tech. I don't know how it happens. We don't ask. Nothing. And yet, each year or so, out of the blue, he hands us a rather large check to donate to the Auto Tech Club. We at Auto Tech have the most connected, engaged and just plain amazing alumni. ... Thank you seems so shallow, but all I can do is thank you Tony, from the Auto Tech Club. - Pete Vernazza

Fall quarter registration has begun. Here is a link to the entire Auto Tech class line up. https://www.deanza.edu/schedule/listings.html... Most of our classes are also offered non-credit (FREE), including the SMOG class, Auto Transmission class, Suspension/Steering/Alignment class as well as the entire electrical and engine performance track!

Fall quarter registration has begun. Here is a link to the entire Auto Tech class line up. https://www.deanza.edu/schedule/listings.html... Most of our classes are also offered non-credit (FREE), including the SMOG class, Auto Transmission class, Suspension/Steering/Alignment class as well as the entire electrical and engine performance track!

This is a video by Steve Motonaga showing highlights from the 2019 De Anza College Auto Tech Car Show. If you went to this show, you have to watch this video. Turn up the volume!

Every school year, since the mid-80’s, the Day Program celebrates the end of the school year with a graduation breakfast. Unfortunately, we weren't able to do that this year, so we held our celebration this past Thursday night via Zoom. It wasn't quite the same as Conference Room A and B, but in typical Auto Tech fashion, we were not going to put our head in the sand and forget about celebration. It was an overall success as we had parents, grandparents from North Carolina, s...iblings from Hawaii and friends of our students watching us celebrate student achievements. Also, in attendance was our chancellor Judy Miner, interim President Christina Espinosa, our Dean, Moaty Fayek, Robin Latta from the Foothill De Anza Foundation, retired Auto Tech faculty Gary Lewis, Randy Bryant, Dean CTE and Workforce Development, Joe Castelino, Service Director Stevens Creek VW and many others. There are 5 scholarships awarded in each class - The Top 4 Academic Scholarships and a Founders' Scholarship, celebrating the Founders of Auto Tech. In addition to these are a Bob Leigh and Ben Becker Memorial Scholarship. Congratulations to all of the students for persevering through this difficult school year. Chassis/Powertrain Spencer The $1500 first place Tristan Bush $1000 second place Curtis Khau $750 third place Nelson Stafford $500 fourth place Tyler Kleffer Founders’ Award $1000 Engine Repair Alexander Miyashiro $1500 first place Peter Moger $1000 second place Ruoxin Wu $750 third place Brian Valencia $500 fourth place Alexander Miyashiro Founders’ Award $1000 Engine Performance Saul Barragan Escobar $1500 first place Tyler Cooper $1000 second place Andres Scardina $750 third place Michael Dao $500 fourth place Devin Melton Founders Award $1000 General Awards Tyler Cooper $1000 Ben Becker memorial scholarship Spencer The $1000 Bob Leigh Memorial Scholarship for academic achievement award Congratulations to all!

I would like to congratulate Spenser The for achieving ASE Master Tech this past week. The coolest thing that Spenser said is "I never thought 3 years ago when I was in the 50's classes that I'd be able to accomplish something like this". Spenser is also the Auto Tech Club President. Great job - We are all very proud of you.

From Linda and Les Schwoob: History and tribute to Bob Leigh: Robert J Leigh Jr., age 77, passed away on Saturday, May 30th at Banner Estrella Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona from complications of pneumonia following open heart surgery. Bob was born April 1,1943 in Glendale, California. He was a proud graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School in San Francisco, California in the Spring of 1961.... After earning his teaching credential and Master’s Degree in Industrial Studies from San Francisco State University, Bob began his career in education as the Auto Shop teacher at Vanden High School, Fairfield, California. After a successful 3 years at Vanden High, he returned to the Bay Area to accept the Auto Shop position at Sunnyvale High School in Sunnyvale, California. After 3 years at Sunnyvale High School, he was offered and accepted a position on the faculty of the De Anza College Automotive Technology Program in Cupertino, California. Initially, his assignment was to instruct the Introduction to Automotive Principles courses. After a short and successful tenure in that position, he was assigned the responsibility for the Automotive Chassis Systems Program, a one-year training course of instruction. This program included training in the servicing of Manual and Automatic Transmissions, Final-Drive Systems, and Suspension and Brake Systems. While in that position he served 3 years as Chairman of the Automotive Department. For many years, he voluntarily served on the Foothill/DeAnza Faculty Association Advisory Committee, an important role in the mutual governance of the College District. He always contributed to the good-of-the-order in any way that he could. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janette Leigh, his two daughters Karin Olson (Chief of Staff to the CFO of Adobe), Stacy Amicarelli (also an educator), two grandsons, Jake and Max Amicarelli, and his two favorite sons-in-law, Jeffrey Olson and Michael Amicarelli. After a fulfilling career of 38 years as an educator, he retired in 2003. He was an inspiration, mentor, and positive influence to hundreds of students. The accomplishments of his students are a tribute to his commitment to their bright futures. Bob’s caring nature will be enduring and will continue to exemplify the very best in education. See more

The Auto Tech Department is starting a Bob Leigh Memorial Scholarship. At the end of this school year, during our virtual graduation ceremony, Auto Tech faculty will be awarding a $500 scholarship in Bob's name. Many of you have asked me where flowers or donations can be sent. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Foothill-De Anza Foundation in memory of Bob Leigh to help support auto tech scholarships. We have set up a very simple donation site i...f you would like to make a donation. Here is the website to make a donation: https://secure.donationpay.org/fhda/ As to memorial services, I will be posting information regarding dates, times and locations as soon as I have them. Pete Vernazza

Today, the Auto Tech Department has lost one of its greatest, Bob Leigh, due to complications from pneumonia. I am so sorry for his wife Jan, his daughters, and his beloved grandchildren. Bob was instrumental in my education as well as thousands of other students in the Bay Area. Rest in Peace Bob. I will never, ever forget you. Pete Vernazza. Here is a message from the founder of Auto Tech, and one of my hero's, Les Schwoob: Les Schwoob speaking: Today a dear friend and c...olleague of the Auto Tech family passed away. He was recovering from triple by-pass surgery of blocked heart arteries. While at home, he developed pneumonia. He was tested negative for Covid-19. His contribution to the formation of the Auto Tech program was important to the continuing success of one of the most prestigious automotive training programs in the nation. He will be remembered for his dedication to, boundless enthusiasm for, and wholehearted support of his students. He was a true professional. See more

Bob Leigh, one of the founding Auto Tech faculty is successfully recovering from open heart surgery in Goodyear AZ. If any of you want to send Bob well wishes, his email address is - [email protected] Bob is one of my many hero's and mentors when I was a student in the early to mid 90's. For those who know Mr. Leigh, he is way way way too tough for this setback to beat him. I have seen Bob's daughter as well as Linda Schwoob frequent this FB page, so if either of you have ...additional information, please let us know. Get well soon Bob! And when you are better, go get yourself some of that special red oil/ATF. - Pete Vernazza

Inevitably, we are going to have to postpone the Car Show. This is super minor compared to what's going on in our world, but nonetheless, we will postpone it until later this year. We have shirts, trophies and a lot of work has gone into this show, but as I said, minor compared to everything else. Hang in there!

A large group of students that are in Rick Maynard's Chassis/Powertrain class getting ready for a day in Auto Tech. This was at 715 this morning and this group was just getting started. The vibe in the building this morning was awesome - Even after losing an hour sleep.

At 646 am this morning, Michael Dao, Mark Bolante, Michael Cabangbang and Dre Hernandez just talking shop. Yes, we all lost an hour sleep but it didn't faze this group one bit. At 729, I had a full class ready for their morning quiz. There is no place I'd rather be. #DayProgram

After "losing an hour sleep", here is a video of a few students at 646 am this morning. The lost hour didn't change a thing. Michael Dao, Mark Bolante, Michael Cabangbang and Dre Hernandez share some early morning auto tech talk. There were 24 students in their seats this morning at 729 am ready for a quiz. Nowhere I would rather be.

I get this question all of the time - what's the Day Program like? One aspect of the Program is that we do stuff. Yes, it's that simple - we get stuff done. There is just under 900 hours a year of instruction which gives our students the time and venue to use their hands and really learn. Check out some of the pics from today. A group of students removed a rear differential from a Dodge truck. Sahil Kamboj is carrying an axle from a late-model Nissan Truck. More pics to come...