(WACO, Texas) – Seniors from four Central Texas high schools competed at a regional event hosted by the North Texas Automobile Dealers at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus on Friday, April 17.
The contest marked the first time the organization has partnered with TSTC’s Automotive program.
Brent Franks, president of the North Texas Automobile Dealers, said the excitement for the contest was having students experiencing a potential career, and dealership representatives meeting new and potential talent. Franks told the students the automotive industry is like a garden lattice – there are many directions to go in the field.
Two teams represented Waco High School, with two teams traveling from Georgetown’s Future Ready Complex. A team each came from Rouse High School in Leander and University High School in Waco.
Each team of three students worked through stations, including electronics testing and a multi-point inspection with major problems to solve. TSTC faculty members led high school advisors on a tour of the Auto Collision and Management, Automotive and Diesel Equipment programs.
Russ Reed, an automotive instructor at University High School, has taught for five years and spent more than 30 years in the automotive field. He said there is a need for technicians throughout the country.
Reed sees, daily, the levels of interest from his students regarding automotives.
“I want to find the person who would take my place as a technician and have the same passion for it (that I do),” he said.
George Williams, program team lead for TSTC’s Automotive and Auto Collision and Management programs, said the contest was a good way for students to learn more about TSTC and talk to employers.
The students have worked at dealerships near their high schools the last few weeks shadowing technicians to learn how to use tools and troubleshoot.
Matco Tools provided the tools that students worked with in the competition and also included additional tools for prizes. Each student received a tool bag.
The first-place team was from Rouse High School, while the second-place team was Waco High School Team 1. Future Ready Complex Team 1 placed third.
The Rouse team each received $1,000 scholarships from The TSTC Foundation. Winston Brooks, along with twins Jose and Rafa Segovia, competed for their school.
“The hardest part was the coolant,” Brooks said. “I like that it was a level playing field. The sportsmanship was great.”
Vehicles were provided by Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram in Waco, Bird Kultgen Ford in Waco, Mac Haik Ford in Georgetown, Subaru of Georgetown, Toyota of Cedar Park and University Kia in Waco.
For more information on the North Texas Automobile Dealers, go to ntxad.com.
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.