Our students are taking advantage of the second chance that Newgate offers.

Most often, our students have not succeeded in traditional classrooms. But once they’re enrolled at Newgate, things change for the better, and they flourish in our vocational setting.

  • Some of our students left high school before graduation and now wish to learn technical skills to move into career employment.
  • Others are Asian, Hispanic or other immigrants, or sons and daughters of immigrants, who struggle with English but are able to learn with Newgate’s hands-on training.
  • Still others are referred by social or educational agencies. These students can learn technical skills best in an apprentice style setting with a low student-teacher ratio.

Despite their varied backgrounds, Newgate's students work together toward the common goal of training for their futures. They are on the path toward careers in automotive work they like with good pay and expanding job opportunities. After approximately 18 months of training, they’ll leave Newgate equipped to become full-time employees in the auto industry, taxpayers and responsible citizens of the Twin Cities.

Efren Madrigal will be one of the first graduates of the new auto-mechanics program. He and his wife are proud parents of 2 girls, ages 9 and 12.
Wayne Martin, New Richmond, WI, hopes to own his own body shop someday. After school he runs with his dogs as he trains for the next Junior Olympics track and field competition.
Kou Xiong is following his two uncles, Newgate graduates, who own a St. Paul auto-body shop. Kou is looking forward to a full-time job with them and time for fishing.
Chuck Sunderland learned about Newgate from his counselors at Andover High School. On weekends, Chuck tunes-up his 73 Chevy Impala.
Tim Hane from St. Paul’s eastside has worked with cars all of his life. His proudest accomplishment by himself is the installation of hydraulic lifts on his prized Lowrider.
Daniel Holcomb followed a friend who had already enrolled at Newgate. Now he's glad he's here, too. In the evenings, Daniel works out at a gym near his St. Paul home and studies fitness.
Seng Xiong, St. Paul, discovered Newgate through a co-worker. Off hours, Seng works on cars, does body building and is the music director, drummer and pianist for his church praise band.
Owen Miller, Forest Lake, came with his dad to donate a car, and the world of Newgate opened up to him. He put his 94 Oldsmobile Delta 88 in near perfect condition this summer.

Please mouse over each student for more info.