The first ever Volkswagen Drive Off kicked off on Friday, June 4 in the auxiliary gym at South County Secondary School. The Drive Off showcased the partnership between Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWGoA).

“It’s part of our larger philanthropic effort with Virginia schools,” said Jill Bratina, head of corporate communications for VWGoA.

VWGoA donated Volkswagen and Audi cars to automotive technology teachers from 10 Fairfax County high schools and three high school academies. Teachers received keys to the cars during the Drive Off and were able to drive the vehicles back to their schools once the event was over.

“It was a fantastic moment to watch the teachers drive off in their new vehicles, and we're thrilled the rain held off so that the two convertibles could ride away with their tops down,” said Bratina. “It was also wonderful to experience the excitement of the students as they sat in the cars and looked under the hood at the engines.”

With the partnership agreement, FCPS automotive technology teachers will receive more than 550 hours of industry training on topics including clean fuel diesel engines, direct fuel injection gasoline engines, electrical diagnosis and fundamentals of the changing technology in automobiles. Teachers begin training in August.

The training will also allow for students to gain experience in diagnosing and repairing high-tech vehicles.

The Audi A5 received by South County Secondary students will serve as a training car, just like the rest of the cars donated to the other schools.

“The students were extremely excited,” said Frank Cannon, automotive technology teacher for South County. “They were hooked because they got a new car to play with.”

For many of the students, receiving an unused car was a first. The automotive technology programs are used to receiving older, donated cars.

“To get a brand new car and see the newest technologies out there is huge for these kids,” said Cannon.

GUESTS AT>/b> the Drive Off included Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D); Del. Kenneth R. Plum (D-35); Del. Mark D. Sickles (D-43); Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova (D-At-large); Supervisor Catherine M. Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill; Supervisor Gerry Hyland (D-Mount Vernon); FCPS Board Members Daniel G. Storck (Mount Vernon), Elizabeth Bradsher (Springfield) and Martina Hone (At-large); and the President of VWGoA Stefan Jacoby.

“The governor spoke to the importance of education, partnerships and workforce development, while Mr. Jacoby emphasized education and the value of business and education partnerships,” said Chad Maclin, coordinator for trade and industrial education for FCPS.

Jacoby also joked that he is used to selling cars, not giving them away.

THE VWGoA program will allow students to learn about Volkswagen¹s new clean diesel engine as well as other environmentally conscious technologies.

“I can’t believe they gave so many brand new cars away just to be taken apart by students,” said Bryanna Fenton, a South County leadership student who worked the event.

A goal of the program is to foster a highly educated group of environmentally conscious consumers, marketers, engineers and mechanics, while contributing to workforce development by building a skilled, homegrown work force.

In addition to donating cars to high schools in Fairfax County, VWGoA plans to donate even more.

“Although we’re donating 16 more cars to Northern Virginia Community College and the Excel Institute, we don’t have another drive off planned in the near future,” said Bratina. “We’d certainly look for another opportunity down the road.”

For more information on donating to the Fairfax County automotive programs, e-mail Frank Cannon at FJCannon@fcps.edu.