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On April 18th, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation (YMMC) celebrated its fourth Downhill Dreams Academy (DDA) as students took to the track at the Coweta Grand Prix. What began as a hands-on STEM initiative has grown into one of YMMC's most meaningful corporate philanthropy efforts, one that connects employees, families, and the community through shared learning and purpose.

Downhill Dreams Academy brings Yamaha team members together with students to design and build their own soapbox derby cars from the ground up, giving participants real-world exposure to engineering concepts, teamwork, and problem-solving. The program was created with a clear vision. As YMMC's President Bob Brown explains, “We didn't want to simply talk to students about STEM careers — we wanted them to feel what it's like to build something real. When they see a car they helped design and create cross the finish line, that moment sparks something deeper. They experience the pride, excitement, and sense of accomplishment that comes from bringing an idea to life. That feeling — that realization of what they're capable of — is kando. And once a student believes they can build something real, it changes how they see their own future.”

Over the past four years, the program has evolved, but its heart remains the same: mentorship and collaboration. Chris Cavalleri, Unit Manager-Assembly, who has participated in Downhill Dreams Academy since its inception, shared, “What keeps me coming back isn't just the race, it's the relationships. Working alongside the students, you see their confidence grow workshop by workshop. But just as important is what happens with our Yamaha team members. People from different departments who may never work together inside the plant are suddenly collaborating, solving problems, and mentoring side-by-side. We're modeling teamwork for the students while strengthening it ourselves.”

This year marks a new chapter, as Yamaha employees' children are participating for the first time. For Yamaha employee and parent Adam Wamsley, the experience has been especially meaningful. “It's been special to see my child excited about something I'm connected to at work. They're proud to say they built something themselves, and I'm proud to work for a company that invests time in kids, not just resources.”

As race day approached, the focus extended beyond speed or trophies. At Yamaha, “kando” represents the deep sense of satisfaction and excitement that comes from experiencing something exceptional. In Downhill Dreams Academy, that feeling shows up in powerful, personal moments, when a student realizes they solved a problem independently, when employees discover new respect for one another's strengths, and when a car built through collaboration rolls across the finish line. Through this program, YMMC isn't simply building soapbox cars; it is building confidence, connection, and opportunity. That shared pride and sense of accomplishment, felt by students, employees, and families alike, is kando in action.

Bob Starr, Yamaha Motor U.S.A. (YMUS)