March was competition season for automotive technology in NH. Fifty New Hampshire students competed in SkillsUSA competitions at the state level for a chance to attend the national competition in Atlanta, GA. There were three competitions in the state: Automotive Service Technology, held at Lakes Region Community College (LRCC); Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technology, held at New England Kenworth; and Power Equipment Technology, held at MB Tractor and Equipment. These competitions bring out the best and the brightest automotive students in the state to put the knowledge they have gained in their automotive classes to the test!
The Automotive Service Technology competition at LRCC brought 30 students from NH schools together. They were tested on electrical, service information, brakes, suspension and steering, engine performance, tool identification, and fastener ID.
The Gold place finisher was Adam Croteau from Portsmouth Career Technical Center, who competed last year and placed third overall nationally. He will head to the SkillsUSA national competition in June to represent NH. He is sponsored by his employer, Portsmouth Ford, to attend, and he received a $1,000 scholarship from the NHADA Education Foundation. The Silver place finisher was Jeremiah Champlin from Salem CTE, and he was awarded an $800 scholarship. The Bronze finisher was Alexander Morrill from the Concord Regional Technical Center (CRTC), and he received a $500 scholarship. The Exeter New Car Dealers will be sponsoring the trip to Nationals and providing a donation of $4,500 to the Portsmouth CTE center for travel, lodging and food expenses.
The Diesel Equipment Technology competition was held at New England Kenworth in partnership with White Mountains Community College (WMCC). Contestants were tested on electrical, equipment and PPE, precision measurement, axel differential and driveline, air and hydraulic brakes, diesel engines, fasteners and torque, and tool identification.
The Gold place went to Charles Mewkill of the CRTC. He will be sponsored by New England Kenworth to attend nationals, and he received a $1,000 scholarship from the NHADA Education Foundation. The Silver place went to Justin Lampham of Pinkerton Academy, and he received an $800 scholarship. And Bronze went to Ethan Lantz of Portsmouth Career Technical Center, and he received a $500 scholarship.
“It was rewarding to see the students take their first steps to achieving their goals,” said Marc Pouliot, Program Coordinator for WMCC’s Diesel/Heavy Equipment program. “It was great to see them challenged outside of the classroom, against their peers.”
The Power Equipment Technology competition was held at MB Tractor and Equipment in Tilton, NH. The Gold place was awarded to Nick Kyrousis from Portsmouth CTE; he received a $1,000 scholarship from the NHADA Education Foundation. Silver place went to Dylan Sportum of Mt. Washington Valley CTE, and he received an $800 scholarship. And finally, the Bronze went to Calvin Puglisi of Portsmouth CTE, who was given a $500 scholarship.
The NHADA Education Foundation, in partnership with SkillsUSA, believe these competitions are a great opportunity for students to achieve success in their chosen pathway. The challenges that come with the competitions help instill an interest and drive that will serve the students well in this industry. Through the support of our hosts, students can make post-secondary and industry connections as well.
Thank you to Lakes Region Community College, New England Kenworth, and MB Tractor for hosting these great events. We are excited to see how Adam, Charles, and Nick do at the national level. Follow our social media for updates!
