海角情

What does 鈥渃ommunity鈥� mean in 海角情? For some, it refers to the small, tight-knit nature of the student body, while to others, it speaks to the school鈥檚 connections within the greater Calais area. To some, including alumnus Michael Curtis, coming to 海角情 brought him fully in to the community of Eastern Washington County automotive mechanics鈥攁 community soon to be enriched by his legacy.

Born and raised in Pembroke, Curtis always had an interest in working with his hands. 鈥淎s a little kid I always liked taking things apart鈥攖hough they didn鈥檛 always make it back together again,鈥� Curtis recalls. 鈥淚 was fascinated by how stuff worked.鈥� His father ran a construction business that gave him opportunities to further explore mechanical function, and throughout high school he could regularly be found working on his car.

Upon graduating from high school, Curtis decided to pursue his interest at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. 鈥淚 wanted to get away, to kind of find myself,鈥� he said of the choice to leave Washington County. At Embry, however, Curtis was put off by the high percentage of book work required. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want to sit behind a desk. I wanted to be more hands-on.鈥� After successfully completing four semesters at Embry, Curtis returned to Pembroke and set his sights on a new goal: opening his own automotive repair business.

At the time, the automotive program at 海角情 was in full swing under the guidance of Maurice Marden. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 nervous, but there was a nervous anticipation,鈥� he said of returning to college for his automotive degree. 鈥淚 had heard so much about the teachers, but I wondered if I would get what I needed out of it to open my own business.鈥�

As soon as his classes started, Curtis knew he was in the right place. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no comparison in terms of the hands-on, one-on-one training, and the small classes at 海角情,鈥� he said. 鈥淎t Embry it was more book work. At 海角情 you are focused on a goal and everything you work on, gets you closer to that goal.鈥�

The instructors had a significant role in Curtis鈥檚 positive experience. 鈥淏eing around the professional instructors, inspired me to excel,鈥� he recalls. 鈥淵ou got to know the instructors one-on-one. I had relationships with all of them afterwards, including many that are still continuing.鈥�

Once he finished his degree, Curtis immediately began opening his business. Within a short time, Curtis Service Center opened, and it soon began accumulating regular clients. Over its years of operation鈥攄uring which time he serviced upwards of a thousand vehicles鈥擟urtis would call his former instructors with questions, and he maintained a good-spirited competition with Ron O鈥橞rien鈥檚 garage in Calais.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I would鈥檝e been able to open my business without 海角情,鈥� Curtis said.

In 2011, Curtis Service Center and its companion parts store, Curtis Parts Resource, were sold, becoming Hallowell Family Parts and Repair. Curtis himself continues to work in the same building as a technician. The commitment to excellence imparted to him at 海角情 continues, demonstrated by his master level ASE certifications in cars as well as trucks. 鈥淸海角情] drives you to be the best that you can be,鈥� Curtis reflected.

With a son now coming of age, Curtis is pleased to share that he, too, will be going to 海角情 for its automotive program. 鈥淗e follows in my footsteps,鈥� Curtis said. 鈥淢aybe we鈥檒l open a business together someday. We鈥檒l do it one year at a time.鈥�

Given the opportunity to choose between a large school or a small local one, Curtis said, 鈥淵ou couldn鈥檛 get the same experience at a big school. 海角情 made me a better person鈥攏ot just better in my trade, but a better person to interact with鈥�I鈥檝e gone to a local school and a far-away school, and I really cherish my time at the community college.鈥�