PTO car show growing in popularity

A collaboration of teachers and parents, working to fund the construction of a new playground for the first- through sixth-graders at Monte Vista Elementary School is gaining size and support, as evidenced by the turnout of participants and volunteers Saturday.

A collection of more than 30 cars, and 13 bikes filled the school parking lot for the fundraising car show. This was the third year the Monte Vista Parent Teacher Organization has put on the event. About 200 people attended the event that brought in $1,000 for the playground fund.

Deejay Pete Martinez played nostalgic music and announced the raffle, as car buffs, kids, parents and school staff alike looked at the cars, worked at booths, or sat back in lawn chairs and soaked in the atmosphere.

“I started doing this because I felt the kids needed a better playground, because all they had was a slide and monkey bars. Give or take, we have bout 500 kids that will use that playground, so they need more equipment,” PTO President Rachel Chacon said. “The district (Porterville Unified School District) said, with the school budget, they didn’t have enough money to do it, so I figured I would take it upon myself.”

Now the school staff has become more involved. The number of teachers who volunteered went up this year, compared to previous years.

The kindergarten teachers sold root beer floats and ice cream, first grade sold biscuits and gravy, second grade sold cookies cupcakes and brownies and third grade sold water. All proceeds went going to the same cause.

“It’s a good turnout for a small car show,” said first-grade teacher Silvia Gutierrez. “It’s perfect timing, good weather. There’s a lot of teachers out here. I see a lot of old students and a lot of students bring their family, because any event here is a family event, which is what we want. We want supportive parents and that’s what we have.”

She came with her husband Orlando and three kids, Oriana, 7; Sarah, 5; and Orlando, 2. The older two attend Monte Vista.

“There’s nothing to do [at recess], so I play tag with my friends,” Orianna said.

Second-grade teacher Adrianna Martinez also worked for her kids as well as her students.
“The kids are understanding. They’re being patient. They know what we’re working for, so as long as we’re enthusiastic, they will be too,” Martinez said. “My sixth-grader, (Adrian), was looking forward to (a new playground), but he probably won’t be here. So maybe my 5-year-old, (Jordan) will be here when they do it.

“Each year we’re looking more forward to (the car show), because it’s getting bigger,” she added.

A majority of the custom low-rider bicycles on display were from the Childhood Dreams bike club in Delano, according to member, Fili Davila. His daughter Davina, 6, and nephews, Ishmael, 8, and Abel, 2, took pride in their miniature orange bicycle, which was on display.

“The people like it, the kids like it. They come out to take pictures. Now the kids want one,” said Fili Davila.

Judges Anthony Andrighetto and Greg Ziegler selected the top cars and bikes in 11 different categories.

“It’s very nice. There’s a wide variety of cars, from custom hot rods to classic cruisers,” Andrighetto said.

The Porterville Fire Department gave demonstrations.

Large and small raffle prizes were given out, including a twin-sized bed, miniature babecue pit, car wash kit, flat screen TV set, titanium tool kit, orbital buffer and a number of certificates from various restaurants and local businesses.

“This is good for the kids to see that the parents are involved,” Martinez said.

School Principal Apolinar Maroquin brought his daughter, Sophia Marie, 3.

“(The PTO) is doing an amazing job. This is a great way to get parents, kids and the community involved,” Maroquin said. “They’re making connections with the school, the teachers and the parents, so there’s no better way for the parents to help the school…I have parents always asking how they can help. Well this is one of the ways. I just enjoy seeing the people walking through and kids smiling.

“It’s not all just hammering reading and writing and test scores here. They get to come and see the teachers having fun.”

Over all best car was: John Dillon
Travel: Rene Salinas, Buttonwillow
Full-size truck: Reynaldo Romero, Tony Carrillo Jr.
Mini Truck: Rikk Trejo, Jorge Carvajal
Muscle Car: Randy Putnam, Jimmy Cole
Foreign-Import: Eric Benlto
Street Rod Car-Truck: Robert Collins, Paul Mcllanahan
Original Cars: Ray Monzon, Gary and Juanita Coffer
Low-rider Car: Luis Sanchez, GoGo Sanchez
Low-rider Truck: Daniel Martinez, Rikk Trejo
Low Rod: John Dillon, Bobby Passmore
Motorcycles: Joe Montalvo, Greg Davis
Underconstruction: Polly Castillo, Erik Hansen
Bikes
Beach Cruiser: Chuy Castillo, Marco Estrada
Low-rider: Divina Davila, Antonio Leon
Trikes: Jesse Martinez, Joseph Castaneda
Most Member: Childhood Dreams