Joe Baca Middle School in Bloomington is $10,000 closer to creating a model lab for science, technology, engineering and mathematics studies thanks to NASCAR driver Aric Almirola and sponsor Smithfield.
NASCAR driver Aric Almirola speaks to students at Joe Baca Middle School in Rialto on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Almirola and sponsor Smithfield surprise the students with a $10,000 donation to further support their education and growth.(Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
NASCAR driver Aric Almirola speaks to students at Joe Baca Middle School in Rialto on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Almirola and sponsor Smithfield surprise the students with a $10,000 donation to further support their education and growth.(Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Students meet with NASCAR driver Aric Almirola, right, during his visit at Joe Baca Middle School in Rialto on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Almirola and sponsor Smithfield surprised the students with a $10,000 donation to further support their education and growth.(Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
NASCAR driver Aric Almirola speaks to student Gilbert Everhart, 12, doing his visit at Joe Baca Middle School in Rialto on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Almirola and sponsor Smithfield surprise the students with a $10,000 donation to further support their education and growth.(Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Students cheer as NASCAR driver Aric Almirola speaks during his visit at Joe Baca Middle School in Rialto on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Almirola and sponsor Smithfield surprised the students with a $10,000 donation to further support their education and growth.(Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
NASCAR driver Aric Almirola speaks to students at Joe Baca Middle School in Rialto on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Almirola and sponsor Smithfield surprise the students with a $10,000 donation to further support their education and growth.(Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
NASCAR driver Aric Almirola speaks to students at Joe Baca Middle School in Rialto on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Almirola and sponsor Smithfield surprise the students with a $10,000 donation to further support their education and growth.(Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
NASCAR driver Aric Almirola takes a photo with students at Joe Baca Middle School in Rialto on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Almirola and sponsor Smithfield surprised the students with a $10,000 donation to further support their education and growth.(Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Students listen to NASCAR driver Aric Almirola speaks during his visit at Joe Baca Middle School in Rialto on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Almirola and sponsor Smithfield surprised the students with a $10,000 donation to further support their education and growth.(Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
NASCAR driver Aric Almirola, center, and Smithfield brand manager Chris Braselton, right, present a $10,000 donation check to principal Michale Willford, left, during a visit at Joe Baca Middle School in Rialto on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
On Friday, Feb. 28, about 350 students gathered for an assembly where Almirola answered an assortment of questions about his life experiences. The 35-year-old Cuban American by way of Florida met students afterward and signed autographs.
Almirola, who drives the No. 10 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing, then surprised the middle schoolers with a $10,000 check for the STEM lab.
“We’re looking hard at Joe Baca Middle School to create a 21st-century learning environment where our students can get the skills for jobs that might not even exist yet,” Principal Michael Williford said. “We’re continuing to advance the ability of kids in our local community so they’re ready to be competitive in the global market for jobs in the future.”
The $10,000 will go toward purchasing three-dimensional printers, virtual reality headwear and other technology.
Almirola’s stop in Bloomington was the first in a series of community visits to support the academic achievement of students across the nation.
“It’s great for our kids to see (a professional athlete) who wasn’t a celebrity already or coming from money,” Williford said. “It shows them that if you put the know-how, love and time in, you can achieve whatever you put your mind to.”
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