A Delhi man has received one of the highest honors from the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation.
Randy Goudeseune was presented the silver Lamp of Learning award, the highest award given to a non-teaching Ontario resident who has made an outstanding contribution to public education.
“I was overwhelmed,” said Goudeseune about accepting the award at a ceremony in Toronto recently. “When I went up to give my thank you speech, I was taken back by 400 people standing up and clapping for me. It was pretty emotional.”
Harvey van der Meer, currently on leave from his role as Department Head of Technologies at Delhi District Secondary School, nominated Goudeseune for the award.
A vintage car-building program was initiated by van der Meer at Delhi District Composite School and Simcoe Composite School in 2012, when an old Volkswagen Beetle was brought in for students to make roadworthy.
They went beyond the basic repairs, with the Beetle becoming a show car in a private collection.
“The technology teachers noticed that this three-year project was even more successful in terms of academics, attendance, and engaging students,” van der Meer noted. “The students wanted to be in the classroom and were excited about learning.”
Goudeseune belongs to several car clubs, is a freelance writer for the Old Autos newspaper, and is a broker for Hagerty Insurance, a vintage car insurance company.
He first discovered the program while at Motorama – a large custom car show in Toronto — in 2019 where he saw one of the pickup trucks built by the Norfolk County students.
“I had no idea this was going on in Simcoe. From there I got involved, talking to the teachers, and giving them whatever support I could.”
Goudeseune promoted the school’s car building program to a network of automotive industry people that began to offer parts, safety inspections, and appraisals. He also raised funds for the program through car shows, leading to the Canadian division of Hagerty Insurance providing financial assistance for upcoming car builds.
He also arranged for Grant Schwartz from the Vegas Rat Rods television show to come and speak to the classes, and for noted automotive pin-striper Danno Druin to demonstrate striping on one of the classes’ car builds.
Vehicles built by students in the program – including a 1950 GMC bone stock restoration, and a 1953 GMC Rest-Mod – have won several best-in-class awards at Motoroma, competing against professional body shops.
All cars built in the program are sold, with proceeds going back into the program.
“Community members such as parts suppliers, body shops, and performance shops are teaming up with the school so that students who leave the program can have a job after finishing high school,” van der Meer explained. “This is all because of the dedication of a community member who decided to invest in public education, their community school, and the car program.”
The department head believes it’s the only award-winning vintage car building program in any Ontario high school, thanks to Goudeseune’s assistance.
“Really the award goes to the three teachers – Harvey van der Meer, Richard Ernst, and Terry Oosting — who are keeping this program alive, and the students who are interested in the trades,” Goudeseune stated. “I think it’s a great program.”
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