Every school morning, long before the first bell rings at Cairo High, a small group of students grabs breakfast and then heads back out the door. By 8:00 a.m., they’re on a bus to Tamms, Illinois, where the Five County Regional Vocational Center opens its garage doors to students eager to learn practical skills. Among them are juniors and seniors from Cairo. Two of those students—Jesse Watson and Linard Thomas—are spending their mornings immersed in the world of automotive mechanics.

The group from Cairo is small, only about eight students, which means they get plenty of attention and hands-on practice. “We’ve got around five cars in the shop we can work on,” Jesse added. “Some days it’s tires, some days it’s the lift. Today we had to show a new student how to use the machines.”

The program is structured but practical. Students rotate through tasks, using lifts, balance machines, and tools to learn the basics of car maintenance. While there’s not yet a certification at the end of the program, both young men see it as valuable experience. “Every bit of it is worth our time,” Jesse said. “When I graduate, I want to go to diesel engineering school and work on semis. That’s my goal.”

Linard’s goals look a little different. “I’m taking this class because I want to be able to work on my own stuff,” he explained. “Mechanics charge for the parts and their time. If I can fix it myself, I save money. Plus, I want to go into pipe fitting as a career, and I know I won’t have much time to take my car to a shop.”

Though they have different reasons for enrolling, both students see the program as a stepping stone. “It gives me more experience than I already have,” Jesse said. He started working on cars when he was younger, mostly teaching himself. Now, with a certified teacher guiding the class, he’s learning more advanced skills.

Jesse and Linard’s mornings in Tamms are packed. For every day they attend, they earn credits that count back to Cairo. The credits go toward their high school diplomas, while the experience builds confidence for the future.

The class is intentionally hands-on. Though they aren’t yet working on customer vehicles, the shop provides enough variety to keep things moving. The students get to practice on vans, trucks, and cars, all while learning to troubleshoot and adapt. “It’s mostly about getting that experience now,” Linard said.

The school district’s support makes this opportunity possible. Transportation is provided every day, ensuring students don’t miss out due to logistics. “That means a lot,” Linard said. “Not every school would do that.”

When they’re back at Cairo by mid-morning, both young men return to their regular classes. Linard says his favorite subject is math, and he names Ms. Lolita, who manages the school’s Ingenuity program, as one of his favorite staff members. Jesse agrees—math is his strong suit as well—and he points to Ms. Owens and Ms. Lowe, who work with IEP students, as teachers who have made an impact.

Both students came to Cairo from other schools. Linard transferred from Century when he moved back in with his mom and stepdad. His younger siblings now attend Cairo Elementary. Jesse came from Cape Girardeau to get his education back on track. “I had a rocky road there,” he admitted, “so I came here to graduate.” His mother moved with him and his siblings, and now he has clear goals for the future.

Those goals extend far beyond cars. Jesse dreams of investing in property someday, fixing up abandoned homes, and offering affordable places for families to live. “I want people to be comfortable, not stressed about groceries or rent,” he said. “I don’t really care about the money. I just want to give back.”

Linard, meanwhile, is focused on pipe fitting but sees value in the skills he’s learning now. “This is knowledge I can use forever,” he said. “Even if I don’t make it my career, it’s something I’ll always have.”

For both students, the vocational program is more than a class. It’s a glimpse of the future, a chance to see how the work they do today can prepare them for tomorrow. Whether it’s turning wrenches on a car in Tamms or solving math problems back at Cairo High, Jesse Watson and Linard Thomas are building foundations that will carry them far beyond the school doors.