Engines roared to life as three Shelby cars rolled into the CSN North Las Vegas Campus auto bay last week, drawing a crowd before the tires even stopped spinning. Students from the Automotive Technology program rushed out of classrooms, cell phones in hand, eager to catch a glimpse of the sleek machines parking in a picture-perfect V formation.
The visit was courtesy of the Shelby American operations crew, who brought with them three custom Shelby vehicles and a wealth of knowledge about what it takes to build and maintain these high-performance machines. More than 50 students from across CSN’s Auto Tech classes gathered around the vehicles, listening intently as Shelby Vice President of Operations Vince Laviolette and his team shared stories, specs, and advice.
“This is the kind of hands-on, face-to-face opportunity you just don’t get every day,” said Dominick Nettles, a student in CSN’s Master Automotive Technology program. Nettles was in his brakes class when he was told the class would be taking a field trip—to the parking lot. “It’s a different perspective of engines and the technology used in high-end sports cars,” he said. “There’s so much engineering that goes into it. It’s like you never grow up—you just become an educated child.”
For Laviolette, the visit was more than a showcase—it was a homecoming of sorts. Shelby American recently hired a CSN graduate to work in their paint department. The connection between the legendary performance car brand and CSN’s auto program has only grown stronger in recent years.
That connection now includes financial support. For the last two years, Shelby American has provided $25K in scholarships to 10 CSN students annually, helping them fund their education in automotive technology. Among the recipients is Avery Rivers, a student completing his Master Auto Tech certification.
Wearing a red shirt and black pants, Rivers stood quietly near the cars, grinning. “It’s really cool,” he said when asked what it was like to see the Shelby lineup up close. While he’s considered working with manufacturers like Honda, he said he’s most interested in a career with the Clark County School District, helping maintain its fleet of buses. The Shelby scholarship, he said, helped make that goal possible.
“Money was tight,” Rivers said. “I didn’t know if I would end up finishing, but once I got the scholarship, I was able to worry less about how to afford school and just focus on my studies. It was a lifeline.”
The visit wrapped up with photos and a few revs of those unmistakable engines. But the message was clear—CSN’s Auto Tech students aren’t just learning to fix cars. They’re being prepared to help shape the future of the automotive industry, one horsepower at a time.
