Local students compete in auto skills contest

Twelve Mt. Pleasant High School students competed in the 24th annual DMACC/Iowa Automobile Dealers Association (IADA) Automotive Skills Contest recently at the DMACC Ankeny campus.

These students competed against nearly 300 students representing 17 high schools from across Iowa in the written portion of the contest.

Eight two-member teams of Iowa high school automotive students qualified for the hands-on portion of the Automotive Skills Contest by having the highest average scores on the written test. Two Mt. Pleasant students, to be chosen by their high school automotive instructor, will compete in the hands-on portion of the skills contest. The contest will include eight skill-based stations in the following automotive areas: engine mechanical, automatic transmission, manual transmission and drive trains, steering and suspension, brakes, electrical diagnosis, heating and air conditioning, and engine performance.

The teams which will take part in the hands-on portion on Dec. 11 include: Algona High School, Ames DMACC Career Academy, Ankeny DMACC Career Academy, Des Moines Central Campus, Mt. Pleasant High School, Nodaway Valley High School, Perry High School and West Delaware High School. The alternate school is Lenox High School.

DMACC Automotive Technology Program Chairperson Jerry Burns said the winning teams of students will receive tools and equipment donated by the Iowa Automobile Dealers Association and their respective schools will receive automotive components to be used for training purposes. The DMACC Foundation will also be providing scholarships for each member of the winning team.