Joseph Haynes Jr. is getting hands-on work experience inside and outside of the classroom as a student at SSD’s South Technical High School.

Joseph is enrolled in the automotive technology program at South Tech. He is a leader among his peers and is a member of SkillsUSA, participating in the Leadership Conference held this year in Jefferson City.

“A group of teachers recently said, ‘He’s a one-in-10-years kind of kid; the type of student who does everything you ask, and then some,’” said John Arndt, an automotive technology instructor at South Tech.

Joseph is employed as an auto mechanic at D&M Automotive, where his mother is the owner and his stepfather serves as his mentor. His extracurricular activities include playing rugby, football, wrestling, track and bowling. He also participates in the A+ Program and has completed more than 50 hours of volunteer community service in the early childhood education class at Lindbergh High School.

“He is always willing to help others, and he has earned the respect of his peers,” said Arndt.