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Max Hayes uses motorcycle building to recruit students (Video)

CMSD NEWS BUREAU

3/20/2021

 

Students from several PreK-8 schools recently had the opportunity not only to build a motorcycle but to kick-start one as well.

The program, held at Max S. Hayes High School, was facilitated by Motogo, a nonprofit that uses motorcycle building to spark confidence. Students put together an early 1970s Honda CB 350 motorcycle from the frame.

“We have piles and piles of parts, and the students pick parts to build the motorcycles,” said Greg Boyd, Motogo head coach.

Max Hayes Motorcycle program

The students learned about tools and got their hands dirty.

“I didn’t know about most of the tools we used,” said Rayshawn, a seventh grader at Bolton PreK-8 School. “But now I do, and I know about most of the parts on the bike and how they help to start the bike.”

Seventh and eighth graders from Alfred A. Benesch, Marion-Sterling and Bolton schools came to Max Hayes on Fridays for several weeks to build the bikes.

Max Hayes Motorcycle Program

Principal Derek Patterson uses the program as a recruiting tool to give prospective students a firsthand look at Max Hayes and its programs.

“Our school population is underrepresented on the East Side, and the programs we have here are offered districtwide,” said Patterson.

Patterson says the recruiting tool is working. The last time they offered the program, in 2019, 60 percent of the students who participated chose Max Hayes as their high school.

Rayshawn loves motorcycles and is strongly considering attending Max Hayes.

“I play sports and I want to build motorcycles,” he said. “So, yeah, I might come to Max Hayes.”

Max S. Hayes students can earn industry certification while attending high school. The school’s career pathways include:

Manufacturing and Engineering

  • Precision Machining
  • Welding
  • Engineering and Design, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) 

Construction Technology

  • Building and Property Maintenance
  • Automotive Technology
  • Automotive Collision Repair
  • Automotive Technology Repair

Diesel Technology

  • Diesel Mechanics