MHS grad to customize a Bronco live at at automotive convention
Rocco Guido (right) with fellow student Claire Crandall (left). Photo courtesy of Washtenaw Community College.
by Sara Swanson
Washtenaw Community College (WCC) and Ford Motor Company are partnering for a live Ford Bronco build at the 2026 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show this week, November 3 through November 6 in Las Vegas. And a 2025 Manchester High School graduate, Rocco Guido, is one of six WCC students will be working on the build!
Onsite at the show, SEMA attendees will design their own Ford Custom Garage-style concept builds using a digital configurator, and the students will disassemble designated components, install selected aftermarket upgrades, reassemble the vehicle and present the completed build.
Students were selected through a competitive application process. Selection considered academic performance, essay quality and motivation, faculty recommendation, professionalism and communication, and teamwork readiness and commitment. The selected students represent both automotive service and automotive body programs. Rocco is joined by Carter Lillie of Milan, Claire Crandall of Milan, Tess Schroeder of South Lyon, Jason Winterhalter of Ypsilanti, and Kaley Williams of Jackson.
WCC explained that beginning in August 2026, the six students enrolled in a course specifically designed to prepare them for the live build, and that their preparation has included hands-on work disassembling and reassembling components on a Ford Bronco and a field trip to the SEMA Garage, with an emphasis on safety and tool use, technical readiness, professional conduct, and public engagement.
Rocco stated, “Over this past summer the team and I have been working closely with Ford and Washtenaw Community College staff tirelessly to prepare for the SEMA show. We have put the accessory parts on and off numerous times to ensure that we are able to install the parts as efficiently as possible. I am very excited for the amazing opportunity to be able to compete in this show and with the best that WCC has to offer.”
Rocco is a Transportation Technologies student at WCC focusing on collision repair, refinishing and automotive painting. He has developed skills in metal finishing, body filler application and surface preparation. Outside the classroom, Rocco buys, repairs and resells cars and motorcycles. He also works at Roberts Paint & Body, gaining experience in body repair and painting. His goal is to become a well-rounded collision repair technician specializing in repair, refinishing and restoration.
“In terms of the SEMA show and future career goals, this is an amazing networking opportunity, Rocco stated, “The show will open numerous doors for new jobs or people that want me to build a car for them. This show is just the first step for myself and the entire team.”
He concluded, “I couldn’t thank the reps at Ford and the amazing staff at WCC for this opportunity enough.”
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