A unique collection of vehicles were a part of Sinclear Elementary School for Friday's annual "Things That Go" event.
The exhibit of numerous vehicles was intended to highlight the first-graders' study of a "Things That Go" unit.
Jose Robles of Ceres brought by his black 1987 El Camino which he has owned since 2004. Students expressed awe over the customized car, which was once owned by his brother, Juan "Sele" Robles, who died of leukemia at the age of 22.
"He passed away while he was in the paint shop," said Robles. "So once he passed I finished it up for him."
Jose also named his first son after his brother's nickname. Sele Robles is now a fifth-grader at Sinclear and plans are to give the car - valued at $8,000 to $9,000 - to him.
During the presentation, Jose let another son and student at the school, Isaac Robles, activate the hydraulic lift kit installed in the bed.
"He loves getting in there and messes with the switches."
Robles said he brought the El Camino to Sinclear's event twice before. He rides the car as part of the Nuestra Cultura ("Our culture" in Spanish) Low-Rider Club of Modesto and has taken it to car shows and parades like the Cinco de Mayo Parade.
"I was hoping to bring my real pride and joy, a 1950 Chevy Fleetline. I'm getting it done. It's not ready."
Nearby was a Pioneer Fleetwood travel trailer owned by Bob and Sue Santos of Turlock. Their daughter, Suzette Stavrianoudakis, is a Sinclear teacher who helped organize the Friday event. They allowed students to take a gaze inside the trailer before moving on to see Bernardo Arroyo's 1959 Chevy Impala, which he is owned for two years. Arroyo had a For Sale sign in the rear window and said he wants $42,000 for it.
"I've had offers but I've turned them down," said Arroyo, a Ceres resident.
Near the playground, Ceres firefighters brought by a pumper and informed students of the various working parts of it. When the siren was blown they placed their hands over their ears.
Students were given a turn climbing up into a Bertolotti Ceres Disposal truck where they sat in the driver's seat --- located on the right side of the cab - to honk the horn.
Work crewmen from Turlock Irrigation District brought a bucket truck in reaching high power lines, and a crane used to install telephone poles into the ground. They also showed how high a telescoping fiberglass Extendo stick can reach into the air. Select students were allowed to wear protective helmets and gear.
Also on hand were Army Jeeps, a Ceres school bus, a pickup and horse trailer and an AMR ambulance.
Sinclear Elementary, which celebrated its being named a 2014 Distinguished Elementary School and its 10th anniversary, is known for its unique programs. Last month the school hosted the fourth annual "Bring Your Parent to School Day." Each May the school hosts a Career Day in which a number of occupations are represented to students.
