Meet the Class of 2021: Damian Castro, Paloma Valley High School, Perris Union High School District

Not many high school students graduate from high school with specializations in suspension steering, braking system inspections, and vehicle alignments.

But, for Paloma Valley High School student, Damian Castro, his last three years in the Career Technical Education program operated by the Riverside County Office of Education on his campus, has already led to a job in the automotive industry—even before graduating.

A real automotive enthusiast, Damian is driven to understand everything there is to know about cars. From the manufacturing, to the performance, to the maintenance, all aspects of the car culture have captivated his attention.

When Damian discovered that his high school provided coursework in automotive technology, he seized the opportunity to learn through a hands-on, unique experience.

Some of his recent interest has also been fueled by the expertise of his automotive technology teacher, Mr. Robert Browning, who began teaching at Paloma Valley High School during Damian’s junior year.

“Mr. Browning came on and changed the way the class was run,” Damian said. “He took it from something that I enjoyed, but was not completely into, and then made it so much more fun and interactive. This was my favorite class to go to.”

Damian soon discovered in class that if he wanted to pursue a career in the automotive industry, Mr. Browning would educate him with everything he needed to build a strong foundation.

Damian was able to find employment at a nearby tire shop thanks to what he learned in the program. His knowledge of operating systems, fluids, and the fundamentals of automotive maintenance provided him with expertise and experience, but it was his self-motivated initiative that secured him the position.

Damian's senior year has consisted of going to school and working full-time—both in his studies and at locating fluid leaks in car engines.

He plans to continue his career in the automotive industry by enrolling at Mt. San Jacinto College while continuing his current employment.

Damian would like to express his gratitude to Mr. Browning for believing in him, teaching him, and allowing him to expand his knowledge. As he puts it, “Mr. Browning is one of the greatest teachers that I have had throughout almost my whole schooling career."