Cool trucks, big dreams: Vocational students meet monster truck stars

Vocational students got a rare chance to see monster trucks up close before the big show rolled into town. About 80 students from two technical high schools spent Friday morning with drivers and crews, learning how these giant vehicles work. Three girls from Blackstone Valley Tech were especially impressed by the sheer size of the trucks. Caroline Simonds said the struts were way bigger than she expected. Arianna Bailer loved the pink unicorn truck called Sparkle Smash, while Sofia Denietolis was surprised by how tall the trucks stood. Their excitement broke a common idea that only boys love fast cars and heavy machinery. The event wasn’t just about looking cool. It showed that anyone can be passionate about cars, no matter their gender. The girls spoke about changing stereotypes in auto shops and racing. They enjoy working with their hands and fixing things, proving skill matters more than who you are. One driver, Loghan Ashline, started in drag racing before switching to monster trucks. She explained how tough it was to learn driving on dirt and balancing a 12, 000-pound vehicle. Her story inspired the students to see that hard work can lead to exciting careers.Ashline also pointed out how many young women were there that day. She believes seeing more women in the field sends a strong message. Monster trucks like Sparkle Smash attract girls because of their fun designs. Ashline thinks more women should join male-dominated areas like racing and mechanics. She said, “Girls can do it just as well as guys can. ” An instructor from Blackstone Valley Tech called the event amazing for the students. He said monster trucks and regular trucks share similar engines and transmissions. This means the skills students learn in class can apply to big rigs too. The visit gave them a real-world look at how their studies connect to cool, high-energy careers.