Student Features: The Story Behind the Car

04.13.2021

Would you mind telling me the history behind your car and if it has any sentimental value to you?

        “Well, it’s kind of a long story,” Aimé Irumva (senior, medical laboratory science) says. “I bought my car after my first car stopped being dependable. I needed to head back to Mexico as soon as possible  so I didn’t have time to be picky. I knew Japanese cars were very dependable and durable so I just picked the first Honda I saw on the list. I drove it down to Mexico to renew my documents and spent the whole summer there. I drove it back all the way to Andrews and it’s pretty much held on.”

        Irumva continues, “I remember buying it on a whim but it’s become a very big part of my life. It’s attached to some of the best memories. My year in Monterrey and the friends I made there, the nights driving around blasting music with my friends, and even the events I’ve been able to go to that I would not have otherwise gone to had I not had a car. I have made tons of friends because of that (that’s particularly important because I live off-campus and this is my first year at Andrews). I have had tons of deep talks in my passenger seat and loads more. Bottom line, my car isn’t just a means of transportation, it’s a vault of memories and experiences.” He adds, “It may not be the Aventador but at least it’s mine.”

        Javann Zonicle (sophomore, aviation), the owner of a Honda Civic LX Sedan, tells us about the dependability of his car. He says, “I love my Civic and I have had minimal problems with it. It's very fuel-efficient and it has great handling. Even though it's a fairly small car, it definitely provides enough interior space for my needs. Since getting the car I've put about 19,000 miles on it and I've only scheduled routine oil changes and maintenance such as tire rotation, and fluid check. The Civic is a nimble little car that Honda has been offering to consumers around the globe since 1972.”

        Zonicle remarks, “One thing I love about mine is that it has a digital dashboard which makes it unique from other cars in its class.  As a college student, I believed that a Civic was one of the most practical choices for a car hence, I went out to the local Honda dealership and acquired one. I love my car and I can confidently say that I'm a Honda fan.”

        “When I got back from my first year of college abroad, I was given an option by my parents,” says Jonathon Woolford-Hunt (sophomore, sociology, global studies). “Corona was running rampant and I was told that I could either do school from home full-time or do school on campus full time. However, if I came on campus I would not be able to come back into the house until either the end of the year or until I got vaccinated. I was very conflicted and I finally made a bargain with them. I said if I have to stay outside the house I need a car. Being the loving parents that they are, they gave in and decided to give me a car. The choice was between my mom and dad’s cars, and I ended up being given my mom’s car.”
        Woolford-Hunt reminisces that “Between the two cars, I definitely got the better end of the deal but in saying that, this car had so many issues. It’s steering wheel would lock up and the heating wasn’t working but at least it was mine.” he adds appreciatively. “As time went on I learned how to accommodate for the issues and it drove pretty smoothly. If you would have asked me as a kid what my first car would look like I would have never thought of my little black beat-up wagon. But nonetheless, I am very grateful for what I have.”