They also look forward to the American history fact that Mr. McKeachnie delivers each day. It's a little bonus for the trivia minded student. The program was designed so a student could start as a sophomore and earn a certificate of completion by the end of the senior year. Students can then go directly into the work force or choose to go on to a college and earn an associate degree. With more academic credits being required for graduation and early graduation as an option, enrollment in the diesel and other vocational classes has dropped.
Certificates of completion are few and far between compared to five years ago.
Brandon Lee Batty, a 2000 graduate of Uintah High, returns every morning and attends the Diesel III class as an adult so he can complete and earn his certificate. He said he needs the certificate to be able to get a better job to pay for college. Some parents and teachers feel the need for extra academic credits. Others say they are great but the extra credits don't give students the experience to go into the work force. Another problem the diesel program faces is to little space and equipment that is outdated.