Erin Bonemeyer is studying diesel technology at Trinidad State Junior College, carrying on a family tradition of working with motors and mechanics. She enjoys both mechanics and cooking, and hopes to work as a mechanic during the week and chef on weekends. As one of the few women in her diesel technology class, Erin has found that her smaller hands help with working in tight spaces, and that her better hearing aids in diagnosing engine problems. Though she works nights at Dairy Queen, Erin loves her diesel program and hopes to find a job after graduation at NAPA where she can continue learning about engine parts. Her instructor praises Erin as an excellent student who works hard and gets along with her male classmates.

1. Wednesday, December 10, 2014 Valley Courier Page 9
Education
By MARGARET
SANDERSON
ALAMOSA — Erin Bone-
meyer is continuing a fam-
ily tradition of motors and
mechanics at Trinidad State.
“I kind of grew up with it,”
she said, “and after my uncle
passed away, it was a way for
metogetclosertohim,tokeep
his memory alive.”
She recalls working along-
side her dad and two uncles
installing a new engine and
replacing a steering column
and transmission on her
uncle’svan. Shelovestobake
TSJC student splits time between garage and kitchen
and has dreamed of being a
mechanic during the week
and a chef on the weekends.
“That way I could have the
best of both worlds,” said
Bonemeyer. “If I have to stay
inside,it’shorrible,unlessI’m
in a shop or a kitchen.”
“Itactuallymakessensefor
females to be mechanics be-
causetheirhandsaresmaller
and fit in tight places easier
than a man’s hands do,” said
Bonemeyer.
She also feels women’s
hearing is more fine-tuned
because they are accustomed
to listening for children’s
cries.Shebelievesthisability
aidswomeninidentifyingand
diagnosing engine problems
more readily than men.
A few years ago, Bone-
meyer’s cousin, Travis went
through the diesel program
at Trinidad State and loved
it, so Bonemeyer decided she
would give it a try.
“I’m really loving it too,”
said Bonemeyer, “and I’m
learning a lot. We have all
the tools we need here. We
studied a whole chapter to
learn about tools. Although
my dad has a lot of tools, I
don’t want to be borrowing
his all the time.”
She says the guys in the
dieselclassdon’ttreatherany
differently because she’s a
girl,butshewouldliketohave
more upper body strength
to help with heavy lifting.
She’s working on building
upper arm muscle by doing
upper body lifts, push-ups
and pull-ups.
Her older sister, Tylar, is
currently in the CNA pro-
gram at Trinidad State, and
herboyfriendwilljoinErinin
the spring semester to learn
about small gas engines and
hydraulics. He earned his
certificationinweldingatthe
college last year.
Bonemeyer attends school
during the day and works
nights at Dairy Queen. She
willgraduatewithhercertifi-
cate in Diesel Technology in
May. She has her sights set
on NAPA where she hopes
to land a job and learn more
about the parts that go in to
different engines.
Bonemeyer said her in-
structor is great to work with
andisunderstandingwhenit
comes to family issues. He
is equally complimentary.
About her he said, “Erin is an
excellent student. She hangs
with all the guys, shows up
every day, likes the hands-on
partanddoesn’tmindgetting
dirty. She’s an all-around
wonderful student and I love
having her here.”
With the car up on a lift, Erin positions herself to change
the clutch on an Audi.
Courtesy photos by Margaret Sanderson
Erin prepares to change a thermostat on an Intrepid.
The students work in pairs to tear apart and reassemble this 6.8 liter John Deere motor.
Erin demonstrates how she put the fan assembly back on.
12-10-14 Daily pgs 1-14-Pre-Print Buttons.indd 912-10-14 Daily pgs 1-14-Pre-Print Buttons.indd 9 12/9/14 9:57 PM12/9/14 9:57 PM