Once again the Oxford High School auto technology team has qualified for state in the AAA/Ford Student Auto Skills competition.
The auto technology team is composed of eight students who each took a written competency test on March 6. The top two scores of each school are then added together for a composite team total. The top ten team scores from the 38 in attendance were then selected for state competition.
‘This competition helps them realized that this is a valuable skill,? said teacher and team coach Dan Balsley. ‘It validates the training and shows them that their skills are needed in the community. It helps them develop self-esteem and realize they do have valuable skills to offer.?
The eight students on the Oxford team are Justin Corbin, Colin Keinath, Derrick Whitaker, Scott Salgat, Daniel Dunham, Trevor Fandale, Aaron Wyckstandt and Kenny Davis. To prepare for the competition, the eight youths stayed after school once a week and studied for 45 minutes to an hour.
Of these students, Corbin and Keinath had the top test scores. They will go on to represent the team at the state level.
‘The written part was pretty hard, but I think the hands-on will be even more difficult,? said Keinath.
‘I’m a little nervous,? said Corbin. ‘As soon as we get a car we’ll be here after school every day working on it.?
This year the teams will be working on 2003 Mercury Mountaineers. Ten identically bugged vehicles will be waiting for the two-person teams to debug them. A repair order will give the team a list of problems to be fixed. All repairs must be done perfectly and none of the problems overlooked.
The first team to repair all of the faults correctly will advance to the national level of competition and compete against one team from each of the fifty states.
Two years ago, Oxford High School placed first in the state and 13th in national competition. Last year the team came in third at the state level.
Prizes, such as scholarships, are awarded for first, second and third place in the hands-on competition. Teams who scored well on the written exam can also receive prizes, as well as the highest team, individual and school written scores.
Corbin and Keinath agreed that one of the most important rewards of the competition is the good name they earn Oxford Schools year after year.
‘It looks real good on job applications,? explained Corbin.
The two youths will compete in state competition at Macomb Community College on April 30th.