BCTC STUDENTS TAKE FIRST PLACE IN PHILADELPHIA AUTOMOTIVE COMPETITION

The Seventh Annual Greater Philadelphia Automotive Technology Competition sponsored in part by the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia was held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center during the Philadelphia International Auto Show. Ten school teams across Pennsylvania qualified for the competition and put their skills to the test in this hands-on competition. Berks Career and Technology Center's team, sponsored by Hoover Chevrolet/Oldsmobile, Wernersville, took first place. Team members included E. Ethan Gingrich, Tulpehocken Area senior and Derrick Himmelberger, Hamburg Area senior.

During the competition, team members "de-bugged" a vehicle and demonstrated hands-on skills at four task stations. Each school's team worked to correct the vehicle faults as noted on the repair order and to repair any problems found while completing a safety inspection. At each task station, teams were given an assignment to complete within a timeframe of ten minutes.

Lewis Davis, BCTC Automotive Technology instructor stated, "It is pleasure to have both students in class and to train them. The boys had a passion to win. They even came to school on snow days to practice." "It made us proud to see them succeed after all their hard work," added Jeffrey Schmehl, BCTC Automotive Technology instructor.

Himmelberger and Gingrich each received over $47,000 in scholarships from Lincoln Technical Institute, Ohio Diesel Technical Institute, Universal Technical Institute, Mitsubishi, Volvo, Automotive Training Center-Exton, Camden Community College, and Philadelphia technical School. Each student also received numerous prizes including tools, clothing, NASCAR race tickets and various other items. Berks Career and Technology Center will receive a new car from Camden Community College, the ASE Auto Readiness series, manuals and other tools for the classroom.