TUCSON, Ariz. - The precision manufacturing program at Desert View High School has always been special to the hundreds of students who have taken it, as well as the instructor, Cesar Gutierrez.
Earlier this year the nation also became aware of just how special the program is after it won a $100,000 excellence award from
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Harbor Freight held a competition in which they chose public schools throughout the country who had outstanding trade skills programs, leading Desert View to come out on top.
Gutierrez told KGUN9 he didn't know much about the award when he first applied for it. He said he filled out the questionnaire provided to him and submitted it.
After moving on to the next round Gutierrez said he did the same thing again, filled out another questionnaire and hit submit.
It was months later he received news he never expected, he and the program had won the big prize.
"For our program, it's huge," said Gutierrez.
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Gutierrez told KGUN9 he already has a plan in place for the prize, among his top priorities, giving his students the opportunities they were missing out on before.
"It gives us a little bit more of an opportunity to give students more experiences," said Gutierrez, "take them to different types of universities to see different engineering program, manufacturing programs. It allows us to update our machines. It will also give the students opportunities to go over the summer and participate in different engineering camps, too."
Gutierrez added he'd also like to expand and upgrade some of the machinery in the precision manufacturing lab as well.
"Maybe buy a new saw that we need, desperately, need right now," Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez added that despite being completely shocked by winning the award, it was his student's reaction that truly blew him away.
"When you start getting that affect because of this award, because now they know who they are, that's powerful, it's powerful," said Gutierrez.
While Gutierrez said he's looking forward to all of the benefits the award will bring for his students, he's also looking forward to a whole lot more.
"I am right now looking forward to about 10 years from now and it's not because of retirement it's because I truly feel that these kids are going to change the world, and it's, I'm just overwhelmed with pride," said Gutierrez.
