Adam Rotunda, a senior from Lambert High School, is choosing to channel his creativity and passion into the impressive hands-on project of building his own car. He is inspired by his childhood memories of working with his uncle, leading to his passion and determination with mechanics.
“I started off when I was a young child, building cars with my uncle,” Rotunda recalled. “It made me realize that I liked doing it.”
“I loved the sound of the roaring engine; it made me happy,” he shared.
His father, uncle and grandfather all played pivotal roles in shaping his love for fast cars, fostering a supportive environment that allowed Rotunda to explore his dreams.
However, the journey has not been without its hurdles. Building a car is not merely as easy as it sounds. It involved solving bugs and figuring everything out independently.
“The biggest challenge was wiring it correctly. It was a pain to figure out how to get it running.” Rotunda responded.
His perseverance and problem-solving skills have allowed him to push through these obstacles, turning setbacks into learning experiences.
The reactions from his friends and family have been varied.
“They think I’m kind of stupid for doing it, but they also think it’s a really cool idea,” Rotunda said.
Rotunda’s confidence shines through as he continues to make progress on his project. All that is left would be wiring work that needs to be buttoned. The finishing touches include sanding the car so that it is ready to be painted and adding the interior.
Looking toward the future, Rotunda has ambitious plans.
“My goal is to get this car finished and sell it so I can purchase a ’69 Mustang and refurbish and remodel that,” he explained.
This aspiration reflects not just a love for cars, but a desire to continue honing his skills and taking on new challenges.
In a time when many young people are unsure of their paths, Adam Rotunda stands out as a shining example of how passion and hard work can transform dreams into reality. Whether he’s building his current car or planning for the iconic Mustang, Rotunda’s story is one of resilience, creativity and the joy of pursuing one’s passions.
