Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) Automotive Technology/Upper Dublin High School senior, Kaiyre Saunders competed in the 2014 Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia High School Auto Tech Competition on February 28, 2014 at the Automotive Training Center in Warminster, PA. The competition was sponsored by Bryner Chevrolet in Jenkintown.
In order to be selected as a finalist, Kaiyre needed to score high on a written exam. The first part of the regional competition involved an 80 question written exam. Of the approximately 100 students who took the exam, the twenty four individuals who received the highest marks advanced to the hands on portion of the event. Once he received notice of his qualification, Kaiyre prepared himself by brushing up on his skills.
The hands-on competition consisted of 12 teams of two students. Each team had to complete 10 different work stations, which focused on emissions, automotive fundamentals, diagnostics, information technology, communication skills and more. In addition, the students were challenged to perform a 60-minute, pre-delivery inspection on a previously-bugged new vehicle. Kaiyre’s team did not win, but he feels as though this was a great opportunity and was honored to be selected to compete.
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“If working in the Automotive Technology field is your goal, then come to EASTERN,” said Kaiyre. “Although the program is hands-on, you should be willing to learn the theory behind the techniques. The credits that you receive at EASTERN are the same as the credits you receive at your high school. The only difference is that you are in a class for two hours and 45 minutes a day with students who share the same interest as you.”
Kaiyre will attend Penn State Altoona in the fall. He will do two years in general study at Altoona, and two years at Penn State Main Campus majoring in Mechanical Engineering. His ultimate goal is to be an engineer for a car company such as Volvo.
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EASTERN is a public school serving students in nine Eastern Montgomery County school districts. Those districts include Abington, Bryn Athyn, Cheltenham, Hatboro-Horsham, Jenkintown, Lower Moreland, Springfield, Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland. Students benefit from specialized career programs that give them a competitive edge in college or in a career. The campus is at 3075 Terwood Road in Willow Grove. For more information, please contact Amy Shields, Organizational Advancement Director, at 215-784-4806, or visit the school’s website at www.eastech.org. Like Us? Become a fan on Facebook – www.Facebook.com/EasternCenter, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @EasternCenter.
Photo by Lawrence Daniel, EASTERN Intern: Kaiyre Saunders
