ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ

Raul Herrera is racing toward a bright future.

He just completed the Carol Shelby Automotive Technology Program at ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ and has landed an internship as a motorsports mechanic with Eastex Motorsports, a professional racing team based in Mount Vernon.

Eastex Motorsports is a family-owned racing team led by driver Adam Poland, also a Shelby program graduate.

?This is our first opportunity to have an internship with a professional race team,? said Keith Fennimore, director of the program. ?It? pretty exciting for us.?

The Carroll Shelby Automotive Technology Program at ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ honored the memory of its benefactor last weekend with the 2014 Shelby Memorial Cruise. It was a beautiful day for a cruise to celebrate a life well lived. Car and bike enthusiasts gathered at ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ and then†cruised to Leesburg (Shelby's hometown) and the Leesburg Cemetery. Pastor Dominic Crescimanno (Brother Dom) had some inspirational words about Mr. Shelby and life. The group then†cruised the back roads where Mr. Shelby grew up.

Dr. Brad Johnson (right), President of ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ, and Dr. Jonathan McCullough, Vice President for Advancement, are pictured holding a $25,000 check the ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ Foundation recently received from the Carroll Shelby Foundation.† The money will provide scholarships for students in the Carroll Shelby Automotive Technology Program at ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ. Mr. Shelby was a strong supporter of the automotive technology program at ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ and, through carefully planned estate giving, he continues to help both the college, and more importantly, †the citizens of our community.

The ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ Foundation recently received a $500 scholarship from the Pleasant Sams, the Mount Pleasant Chapter of the Good Sams Club of America. This year's gift will benefit a student studying in the Carroll Shelby Automotive Technology program at ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ. Pictured making the donation to Dr. Jonathan McCullough, ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ Vice President for Advancement (center), is Nancy Owsley (fourth from left) and †Diane Dalby (third from right).

Pictured, Carroll Shelby spends time in the ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ Shelby Automotive Technology shop during one of several visits to ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ.

East Texans will have the opportunity to join other Shelby fans nationwide in saying goodbye to one of their own next week as the Team Shelby Club will host a memorial celebration for automotive legend Carroll Shelby at ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ.