Cypress Falls High School senior Cristian Resendiz helped the parent of a fellow student fix a flat tire during the first week of school. He is a second-year student in the Automotive Technician program and used some of the skills he learned in the classroom to help fix the flat. For his act of generosity, Resendiz received a Principal’s Excellence Award from Cypress Falls Principal Becky Denton. (Photo by Summer Folwell, Cypress Falls HS)

By Quetzi Contreras, Cypress Falls HS

Sept. 24, 2021—While parking his car during the first week of school, Cypress Falls High School senior Cristian Resendiz noticed something wasn’t right before heading to his English IV class.

When Resendiz stepped out of his vehicle on Aug. 27, he noticed a woman parked next to him on the ground trying to fix a flat tire. Although it would make him late to class, he stopped to help.

“I know how to change a tire,” Resendiz said. “I learned when I was 12, but I started doing it more in auto tech.”

Resendiz, a second-year student in the Automotive Technician program, used tools that come standard with any vehicle and worked with the woman, the parent of a fellow Cypress Falls student, to fix the flat tire. In appreciation for the act, the parent called the school to express her gratitude.

For his act of generosity, Resendiz received a Principal’s Excellence Award from Cypress Falls Principal Becky Denton. The distinction began as a pin Denton gave to recognize those who did good deeds before the award evolved into the certificate.

“A lot of times in today’s world, people don’t want to help people,” Denton said. “They want to mind their own business, they don’t want to get involved or they don’t want to help. The fact that there’s this kid on his way to school who knew he was going to be late, but still stopped and did that.

“To me, he really was an example of Eagles and Eagle spirit. Doing the right thing.”

Cypress Falls High School senior Cristian Resendiz displayed a Principal’s Excellence Award he received after helping the parent of a fellow student fix a flat tire during the first week of school. He is a second-year student in the Automotive Technician program and used some of the skills he learned in the classroom.

Part of CFISD career and technical education (CTE) curriculum, the automotive technician program gives participating students the opportunity to earn Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications while completing courses in high school. Sponsored by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, the certifications help improve the quality of vehicle repair and service.

Courses include Automotive Basics, Automotive Technology I and II, and Practicum in Transportation. Beyond the normal curriculum, teachers help students develop social skills and learn positive behaviors many will encounter down the road in the automotive industry.

“In class, we want to be nice to each other, and we teach students to be friendly and courteous and nice,” said Randle Thomas, Cypress Falls Automotive Technology I and II teacher. “I like to think that a little of the right thing can go a long way, and in this case I think he did the right thing.”

Community service is a focal point for the program, which includes Cypress Falls students helping repair vehicles for community members.

“In the classes, we try to impart that to the students.” Thomas said. “Working on cars is helping people.”

Along with lessons learned in his automotive technology classes, Resendiz said he is a believer in karma.

“People who give back to the community, those are people I prefer,” he said. “I think we need more people like that.”