MY SENIOR INDEPENDENT PROJECT

TrinityPawlingMattErnster_Quad

When I heard that I had to do a Senior Independent Project, I immediately thought how much fun it would be to do something that involves building an engine. I started brainstorming with our innovative art teacher Mr. Barnes, and we landed on the idea of restoring a scooter.

My next two challenges were finding a scooter and figuring out how to pay for it. I found a 1964 Vespa on Craigslist. That was the easy part. Figuring out a payment plan involved more creativity. I am involved in Relay for Life, so I asked our R4L advisor Mr. Mead if the club would front the money to buy the used scooter, and I would fix it up with Mr. Barnes. Once the scooter was restored, I would donate the scooter back to R4L to auction.  When I presented this idea to my advisor, everything fell in place.

Mr. Mead and I picked up the scooter in New Haven, and I took it straight to the maintenance barn. Although it started—it was in rough shape. With Mr. Barnes’ expertise and enthusiasm, this project has been a complete labor of love. I took the bike completely apart (even the engine), worked with a local body shop to help paint it (Thank You Dutchess Auto!) and am working with both the New York and Connecticut Relay for Life organizations to work out the plans to put this wonderful machine up for auction.

Stay tuned for auction details!

Matt Ernster ’18