Mayor Joe Ganim honored a Bridgeport technical school Tuesday by proclaiming Nov. 27 as Bullard-Havens Day.

Ganim along with other Bridgeport officials recognized Bullard-Havens Technical High School for being named Automotive School of the Year by Tomorrow's Technician magazine.

Bullard-Havens beat out more than 200 schools nationwide. Faculty at Bullard-Havens say tech schools are the unsung heroes of Connecticut's economy.

City officials say the honor is well-deserved.

"It's a commitment, it's hard work, it's excelling to be the best, both by those that are teaching and obviously by these students," says Mayor Ganim. "So they're doing it, they've done it, and it's national recognition, it's a big day."

Staff members at Bullard-Havens say they hope the recognition encourages lawmakers to support a program that is doing everything on a tight budget.

Representatives from Tomorrow's Technician magazine will present the actual award to students and faculty at a ceremony on Thursday, along with a $5,000 donation to the automotive program.