SAN FERNANDO HIGH'S AUTO PROGRAM KICKS INTO GEAR.

Byline: Diana Peyton Community Columnist

In 1993, an instructor named Russell Martin had little more than elbow grease to get the automotive program started at San Fernando High School.

The department now has certification by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.

Six years ago, the school's principal approached Martin. ``Phil Saldivar offered me the job because the school didn't have a viable automotive program. I took the job sight unseen,'' Martin said.

At the time, he was working in the private sector. The task at San Fernando High was not new to him. He had created the automotive program at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles in previous years of teaching.

``When I came to this place, it was a closed shop, we didn't have one tool, no furniture, not even a chair for a student to sit on,'' he said.

A place for rakes and shovels underwent a transformation. ``We took Easter and Christmas breaks that year on our own time, the students and I, and fixed this place up,'' he said.

Things kept getting better for the program. Larry Seeley, a General Motors representative invited 12 high school automotive instructors to meet with him in a two-year process to build the school programs up to national accreditation standards. Company policy prohibited them from donating parts and materials unless the schools they helped were certified.

The once dusty storage area now turns out mechanics who are in demand in the community.

``Galpin Motors has taken every student we have sent to them. Karl Boeckmann invites us over, feeds us lunch and encourages our students to come to work for him. Rydell Chevrolet also has a few of our former students,'' Martin said.

Recently all of the high schools that were helped by Larry Seeley's efforts were represented at a retirement party given for him by Martin in his home.

Martin is devoted to the success of the program and its students. ``I'll keep up my end of the bargain. For me personally, it's been a great ride,'' he said.

The official status means the school's automotive program has met the standards for instruction, facilities and equipment. The certification was extended for brakes, engine performance, electrical and electronics systems, suspension and steering. The high school will hold the certificate for five years.

The Dubnoff Center has honored Granada Hills resident Tim Bekins, with its Humanitarian Award at the Garden of Dreams dinner dance held at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City.

Bekins has been instrumental in supporting the center by participating in special projects to raise money and public awareness.

He is president of the California Beverage Retailers Association, and the senior buyer of wine and spirits for Trader Joe's markets.

``He has been devoted to helping the center raise funds this year,'' said Sandra Sternig-Babcock, acting executive director.

``We work with the most difficult children in the community,'' she said.

She has been working in special education for 30 years and at Dubnoff for 13.

``Our biggest challenge is finding the resources. We have a need to secure additional funds, there are so many charities out there today, all competing for public support,'' she said.

The Dubnoff Center in North Hollywood is a private, nonprofit special education day school and treatment facility for children to young adults, ages 3 to 22. ``Part of our mission is to prepare them to live as independently as possible,'' Sternig-Babcock said.

The center serves young people who are at the end of every other possible educational option. They might have multiple handicaps, developmental disabilities or have emotional or behavioral problems.

An estimated 100 children and young adults are served by the program each year. Their training includes vocational and life skills.