Build Project Launched

Santa Fe Early College Opportunities (ECO) Applied Science High School, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico is partnering with the Specialty Equipment Market Association for their high school vehicle build program for a second year in a row. The school piloted the program with SEMA in 2018 by customizing a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited which auctioned off for over $56,000. This year, students of the high school auto tech program will be customizing a 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport before the end of the 2019 school year.

The program, aimed to provide an educational, hands on experience while introducing high school students to the customization hobby has generated interest from the industry. Many companies have raised their hands to support the builds through product donations. At the point of launch, Santa Fe ECO has great support from the following companies:

• Atturo Tires
• Bloomfield Manufacturing Company, Hi-Lift
• Covercraft
• Diode Dynamics
• Husky Liners
• OMIX ADA, Rugged Ridge
• QuietRide Solutions
• Rock Krawler Suspension
• Rolling Big Power
• T-REX Truck Products, Inc.

If you are interested in supporting Santa Fe ECO's build, you may fill out this product donation form or contact Katie Hurst.

SEMA Delivers Jeep to Students

The 2005 Jeep Wrangler was delivered to the students at Santa Fe ECO by SEMA staff in February. Pulling into the magnet school, staff was immediately greeted by a group of eager automotive tech students and their instructors. It wasn't long before the students were under the hood of the vehicle and collaborating on their ideas on how to customize the vehicle that sat before them. A few of the students, decked out in SEMA gear, worked on the 2018 Jeep build and were mentoring newcomers of the program on how the build went last year.

The Jeep is now in the capable hands of the hard-working, imaginative students and their lead instructor, Chris Coriz. We can't wait to see what they come up with!