By Julie Slama | [email protected] 

Bingham High sophomore Tallon Shira already is looking forward to the end of next school year when he plans to show a second time the ’47 Coupe he owns with his grandfather, Rick Shira. 

“This is a future prom car,” he said, adding that they are currently working on a ’32 Coupe. “This took us years to build, but it’s been something we’ve loved doing together.” 

The two began about five years ago, when his grandfather saw two cars available — one that they could use for parts for the one they rebuilt. 

“My grandpa had a ’47 Coupe when he was 18, but he was in an accident and the car rolled into a field in New Mexico,” he said. “Ever since, he’s wanted another one, so it’s kind of special.” 

Tallon was showcasing the car in his first car show, Bingham’s 23rd annual car show, which featured about 100 import and American-made cars, trucks, motorcycles, Jeeps and other vehicles. 

“People who know about cars, appreciate this community,” he said. “For those who don’t, they can learn from so many of us.” 

Bingham students look forward to several year-end traditions such as the car show and the school’s 43rd annual art show. 

The car show involves students getting approval from career and technical education teacher Travis Lucero to showcase anything from a customized Bentley to a GMC suburban.

“It’s a big tradition here, where students can buy a hamburger or hot dog, listen to music and walk around to see the cars and learn about them,” Lucero said. “Some students have taken classes in our auto program, but others just have the passion they want to share. It’s just a cool thing we do here.” 

Students who show the cars pay $10, which includes their space in the back of the school on the show date, a lunch and a T-shirt. This year, seniors Justin Thomas and Eternity Stovall designed the shirts. 

Sophomore Keaton Dearing was showing his two-toned, 7.3-liter diesel truck, with an extended bed sleeper and a tow transmission with two tanks. 

“My dad bought it in ’97, and recently, I’ve taken it over,” he said. “I thought it would be something unique with car shows usually showing small cars.” 

Senior Brandon Lopez was showing an Audi TT ’08, his first time in the car show. His dad purchased the car with wingbacks and air suspension in Chicago. 

“It has a nice feel and good vibe to it,” he said. “It’s been a fun day.” 

Not only do the Miners look forward to the car show, but they also celebrate their classmates’ success in art with the annual art show. 

“There are beginners to advanced students who enter the show,” art department chairman Andrew Bird said. “It’s a chance to honor all our students’ talents.” 

The talents don’t just include calligraphy, drawing, painting, ceramics and traditional arts, but it also includes students in the welding and collision classes, as students display panels they’ve welded and painted. 

“I’d like to extend the show to include students who work with fabric as well,” Bird said, adding that the show typically has 300 pieces on display. 

Students, whose work is juried by outside-the-school judges, are awarded ribbons for the top awards, including a best of show rosette ribbon. 

This year’s winners include Best of Show to senior Corbin Kitterman for his welding titled, “Cobra”; second place to junior Cambria McAfee for her photograph of “Spools of Thread”; third place to senior Raul Bryand for his two-dimensional portrait entry; and fourth place to senior Benjamin Winkel for his three-dimensional entry, “Melvin the Miner.” 

Pieces often are purchased for the school’s permanent collection, Bird said. 

At the awards ceremony, student winners, including Grace Davis’ best of show in 2D at the Jordan School District Art Show for “The Unspeakable” was acknowledged as well as her piece titled “Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself,” which earned an award of excellence. Classmate Angelica Cowlishaw received an award of merit for her untitled work, and fellow Miner Wendy Hoang received an honorable mention for her piece titled, “Harmonious Ripples.”