E.J.K. Car Show, Xavier High School, June 5th, 2010
On
July 3rd, 2005, at around 2:00am, Eric J. Kalber was a passenger in a
car going approximately 70 mph when the driver lost control of the
vehicle. Eric did not survive the accident. He was 20 years old.To honor Eric's memory, a scholarship was set up in his name at Xavier High School in Middletown, CT. In order to raise money for the Eric J. Kalber Memorial Scholarship, there is a yearly car show with all proceeds going directly to the scholarship fund.
Over the years his family have strived to make the day a celebration of Eric's love for anything with wheels. It’s a festive day where old friends, new friends and family come together for good food, good music, and good times.
Since the accident, Eric's aunt has been speaking to students about the dangers of drinking and driving and speeding at CC Driving School in Tolland, CT.
The Eric J. Kalber Memorial ScholarshipThe past few years have seen the show grow tremendously. Tireless efforts each year have seen over $15,000 in academic scholarships given to eight Xavier High School students. The qualifications for a student to receive the honor of the Eric J. Kalber Memorial Scholarship are:
1 - Must be a junior.
2 - Must be an average student who works hard for his grades, much like Eric.
This
year’s event was another success. While weather scares may have turned a
few cars away, more than 100 cars and bikes were in attendance. Held in
temperatures that were way hotter than this fair-skinned Englishman is
used to, an interesting variety of vehicles honored Eric and his family.
Among the standouts were several police cars, including a menacing
black Dodge Charger Interceptor with 9/11 tribute artwork on the hood, a
beautiful vintage Packard and a pair of Javelins. Sportscars were well
represented by a Ferrari, a screaming yellow Lotus, a Dodge Viper and
several Corvettes.Cruisin’s Star Car
