Expanded, student-organized Transportation Show May 19

Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News
·3 min read
Antique cars were among the vehicles at last year's Transportation Show. Classic cars will return this year.
Antique cars were among the vehicles at last year's Transportation Show. Classic cars will return this year.

Last May, Ashley Cornett’s sixth graders at Monroe Public Schools' Arborwood Elementary School organized the school’s first Transportation Show. This year, her fifth grade class is planning an even bigger event, with more entertainment, more vehicles and hopefully even a helicopter landing.

The second annual Transportation Show will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. May 19 in the parking lot at Arborwood South, 1008 Riverview Ave. Admission is free. The public is welcome.

Dozens of vehicles are expected.

“Currently, we have 50 to 60 types of transportation committed to coming, and the students are hoping for more,” Cornett said.

A drone photo shows some of the vehicles in last year's inaugural Transportation Show at Arborwood South Elementary School. The second annual show is May 19.
A drone photo shows some of the vehicles in last year's inaugural Transportation Show at Arborwood South Elementary School. The second annual show is May 19.

Among them is the MedStar LifeFlight of Michigan helicopter from Troy.

“Last year we had a helicopter fly-over, but it did not land. They plan to land at approximately 7 p.m., weather permitting and if they aren’t in flight responding to a priority call,” Cornett said.

Other vehicles expected to attend include an armored truck, boats, a tow truck, antique cars, a limousine and more emergency vehicles than last year, including two ambulances, a fire truck and two police cars. The Floral City Model A Car Club also plans to bring vehicles.

Entertainment and food will again be offered. New this year will be a clown making balloon animals and an inflatable house obstacles course. Food trucks planning to attend are Cakes by Stephanie’s Ice Cream Cart, JEMS Diner, The Coffee Grind Coffee Truck and Tacos El Mariachi Loco.

Last year’s Transportation Show was well-attended.

“We are estimating 150 to 200 people attended last year,” Cornett said.

Her students have been working on this year’s show for months. They even got some advice from last year’s student organizers, who set out to start the first student-led car show in Monroe.

The student planners of last year's Transportation Show at Arborwood South Elementary School are shown offering advice to this year's student planners.
The student planners of last year's Transportation Show at Arborwood South Elementary School are shown offering advice to this year's student planners.

“The students from last year told us to make sure we have enough parking spots for the vehicles and to make sure we are kind and professional on the phone," Cornett said. "They also recommended food trucks that were easy to work with last year and encouraged the class to reach out to local businesses to advertise. They also emphasized the importance of sending thank yous."

Cornett's class also prepared by taking a field trip, researching types of transportation and hosting a fundraiser. On Feb. 28, students visited the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn.

“We did the Ford Rouge Factory tour to see how the F-150s are made. Then we went to the museum and explored all the different types of transportation located there to get inspiration on types of vehicles we could invite to the show,” Cornett said.

Some members of Ashley Cornett’s fifth grade class at Arborwood Elementary School are shown at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. The class visited the museum and took a Ford Rouge Factory Tour to prepare for the Transportation Show.
Some members of Ashley Cornett’s fifth grade class at Arborwood Elementary School are shown at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn. The class visited the museum and took a Ford Rouge Factory Tour to prepare for the Transportation Show.

To raise money for the show, her class sold snacks to their peers during Arborwood’s Market Day.

“They raised $450,” Cornett said. “Our preschool pals also did a lemonade stand and raised $160 for us.”

Students also researched transportation topics and created project boards, which will be on display in the school during the Transportation Show.

“Each student picked a form of transportation for our nonfiction writing unit. Some choices were: limousines, fire trucks, helicopters, ATVs, boats, antique cars, food trucks, taxis, hearses and more. Our driving question was, 'How does geography and history affect different forms of transportation?,'" Cornett said. "The students are putting together interactive display boards to display their individual learning that will be on display in the cafeteria. Their research reports will be available to read as well,."

Assisting Cornett with the show are Amanda Perkey, Arborwood technology teacher; Jeramy Adkins, art teacher; and Jan Maciejewski, resource room teacher.

Business sponsors are Arborwood PTO, Tiffany’s Pizza on Monroe Street, Gerdau, Williams Insurance Agency, Highlander Market, Angelo’s Chophouse, Jones for Men, Brown Bag Boutique, Front Street Mercantile, Front Street Diner and Lori Lambert - Coldwell Banker Realty.

For more information, call Cornett at 734-265-3835.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Expanded, student-organized Transportation Show May 19