First OHS grads step up for automotive program

An $11,000 donation from the Ozaukee High School class of 1967, the school’s inaugural graduating group, is covering the cost of a second vehicle lift and partially funding another overhead door for the newly formed automotive class.

The class, which had nearly 40 students sign up this year, provides hands-on experience for students looking to learn a trade.

Peter Klass, the organizer of the fundraiser, said that regardless of any graduate’s plans, they can still learn how to be safe in their car and how to keep their car safe.

Klass said he got the idea to start the fundraiser with his classmates after he read an article in Ozaukee Press.

He said since the class only had one lift, only three or four students could work on the car at a time, while the others just had to observe. A second lift and door will change that.

His longstanding love for cars was also a factor.

“We were all gear heads back in high school. Back then we all had our own cars to work on. You could buy a car for $500, retool and fix it, and make it good as new,” he said. “I still have a workshop at my home and continue to fix up my own cars and my kids’ cars.”

So, Klass contacted some of his classmates, people he said he is still regularly in contact with, and talked about gathering some money for the program.

Audrey Bares, another person from the class of 1967, sent out letters to her classmates and did a lot of the fundraising, Klass said.

“It went better and quicker than I expected,” Klass said.

The original fundraising goal for the group was $10,000. The group ended up exceeding that goal in just a couple of months.

Now, Klass and his classmates hope to help students figure out their post-high school options.

“We are a rural community and not everyone of these kids go to college, or should go to college. It shouldn’t be a scorn thing for kids not going to college. There are a lot of good paying, blue-collar jobs that you can make a great living with,” he said.

Klass said it was also important to fund the district as it continues to decline in enrollment.

“We’ve been struggling as the class size gets smaller, we just hope that people keep supporting the district. We have to support it financially if we want our own schools and district.”

Dave Karrels, Northern Ozaukee School District’s superintendent said this donation is a perfect step for the district — as interest in the automotive program continues to rise.

“This is incredibly exciting and generous. It shows the pride in our community and the support of technical trades as well. This will help kids think about going to college or going into a trade. We are just really excited to offer this opportunity to our community and students,” he said.