Local High School Students Compete in Skills Competitions, Win Prizes Donated by Industry Partners
By Rio Hondo College CTE Division
The Rio Hondo College Career and Technical Education Division recently hosted its first Automotive Skills Competition/Mini-Career Day for high school students. The successful event welcomed more than 100 students from six local high schools accompanied by their Automotive Instructors.
Twenty-five (25) students competed in various events that included an Individual Competition and a School Competition. Students competed individually or as part of a team in seven competition stations, All Data (Electronic Service Information), Engine Performance/Service, Chassis Electrical, Alignment/Suspension, Fasteners/Hardware, Hand Tools, and Equipment/Precision Measurements.
Students rotated and were scored in each segment of the competition. Students not part of the competition rotated to various modules facilitated by RHC Automotive faculty, Outreach, Counselors and student volunteers. Students were also treated to a nice lunch served at the Tech Quad and some giveaways from industry sponsors. Prizes were awarded to the winners of the individual and school competitions at the concluding session of the event.
Partnerships with ATRE-DSN and Industry Partners Boost Competition and Bring New Opportunities for Students
Automotive faculty, Mike Dighera, who spearheaded the event, collaborated with Advanced Transportation & Renewable Energy (ATRE) Deputy Sector Navigator, Jannet Malig, who provided a majority of the funding for the event. The competition, which was well attended by industry sponsors like Browning Automotive Group, MATCO, INNOVA Electronics and Tesla provided an opportunity for students to learn and gain insights about work and internships. Industry partners donated prizes for the various event challenges and gave a huge boost to the competition.
Tesla Model Display Sparks Enthusiasm and Interest from Students
Tesla accepted an invitation from RHC Automotive faculty, John Frala, to participate in the event by displaying the Tesla S car model to the competition. The display was a huge hit and sparked a huge amount of enthusiasm and interest from the participants as well as bystanders. Students were able to get a closer look at the technological advancements that the car had to offer from the outside as well as from the inside.
Mini-Career Sessions Introduce High School Students to College Experience
Students who were not part of the competition attended several mini-career modules facilitated by RHC Counseling, Outreach and Center for Career and Re-Entry. Students were introduced to what it would be like and what to expect in their first semester as a college student. Presenters talked about the various support services such as the first year success center, financial aid and career center, which many of the students found to be invaluable.
