RESOLUTION NO. 100783
Recognizing
the efforts of the students of the DeLaSalle Automotive Design Studio program
at the DeLaSalle High School in designing and constructing an electric vehicle,
with the guidance, expertise and support of community mentors and the DeLaSalle
administration.
WHEREAS, the Automotive Design Studio of
DeLaSalle High School in the urban core of Kansas City, Missouri, offered a
course of study in forces, mechanics, aerodynamics and electricity, and applied
these studies to the design and construction of a functioning vehicle, aided by
the support of Bridgestone Tires; and
WHEREAS, the class mission was to
inspire the students to learn through creative channels, and create an electric
vehicle to be in harmony with the world. Aided by the guidance and support of
hardworking, professional mentors, the students were
given alternatives to the trappings of mainstream media and created a desire to
attend a four year school, to study engineering, architecture, automotive
restoration and become environmentalists; and
WHEREAS, the car has been displayed at the
Indianapolis 500, has been tested at the Bridgestone proving grounds in west
Texas and was the lead story on Yahoo.com, CNN.Com, CNN radio, CNN TV and
countless other news outlets around the world; and
WHEREAS, the organizers of the class project
intend to form a nonprofit corporation called MINDDRIVE, to continue the work
of the current class, expand the work locally with more classes and finally
develop an educational unit that is built around at-risk kids through mentor
and active corporate involvement; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor and Council hereby recognize and
congratulate the students and mentors of the DeLaSalle Automotive Design Studio
for successfully designing and constructing an electric vehicle and proving
that hard work and effort is still the trademark and cornerstone of every
Kansas Citian; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the
Council in testimony thereof and, in token of the high esteem in which these
students, teachers and mentors are held by the Mayor and Council, a copy of
this resolution be presented to the program mentors: Walter
Accruso, Bruce Bellington, Mike Blood, Don Caffee, Chris Crouch, Dave Davis,
Aaron Holstrom, David Hutson, Jeff McCormick, Brian Nakonechny, Melvin Price,
Steve Rees, Bob Storck, Tom Strongman and Greg Welch; the DeLaSalle
administration: Gayle Lee, Paula Guinn, Jan Werner, Mark Williamson and
Vanessa Van Goethem-Piela; and to the students: Chan Brown, Andrew Deckard,
Kelvin Duley, Zack Knighten, Kevon Mebane, Mario Ramirez and John Shaw.
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