Schools
Seacoast School of Tech Students Win Statewide Competition
The students won scholarships after identifying, diagnosing, and repairing problems on a Toyota Camry.
From Seacoast School of Technology: Principal Margaret Callahan is pleased to announce that two students at the Seacoast School of Technology won the state Automotive Technology Competition last week and earned scholarships to further their area of study upon graduation.
On Saturday, Jan. 13, seniors Aaron Wessling, from Epping High School, and Andrew Gelina, of Sanborn Regional High School, headed to Lakes Region Community College to test their technical knowledge and skills.
Previously, on Dec. 1, all New Hampshire auto tech seniors completed a written exam. Seacoast School of Technology earned a spot as one of the top 10 scoring schools and Gelina and Wessling were invited to partake in the statewide competition, along with nine other two-person teams from surrounding schools.
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On the day of the event, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gelina and Wessling worked as a team to identify, diagnose and repair four problems on a 2015 Toyota Camry. This included determining why the vehicle would not start, why the engine would not turn over, what caused the engine to misfire and what led to an emission error. Judges awarded points based on the accuracy and speed at which the faults were identified, documented or resolved to get the “clean vehicle” over the finish line.
For their win, Gelina and Wessling each received a $2,000 scholarship that can be used at any New Hampshire Community College automotive program, along with a trophy and first place medals.
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The pair also qualified to compete in the National Automotive Technology Contest during the New York International Auto Show on April 3-4.
"I am extremely proud that these students will represent SST and the State of New Hampshire when they compete in New York City in April," Principal Callahan said.
To find out more, visit seacoasttech.com.
Image via Seacoast School of Technology: (left to right) SST senior Aaron Wessling, Automotive Technologies teacher Paul Yergeau and SST senior Andrew Gelina. (Courtesy Photo SAU 16)
