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MPCHS student to represent Iowa at national automotive contest
After multiple years competing and a lifetime around vehicles, Aaron Moler will show off all his skills and knowledge at a national level next month
MT. PLEASANT — Mt. Pleasant Community High School Junior Aaron Moler prepares to head to Atlanta, Georgia next month representing Iowa in the SkillsUSA Automotive Service Technology competition after taking home gold at the state level last month.
Out of just over 30 other competitors, Moler managed to receive the highest score after competing in a variety of written and hands-on tests. Due to technical issues, one station was unavailable during the event, but participants still had to demonstrate their skills at 10 different stations.
Some of these stations included showing their abilities with HVAC, tires and suspension, measurements, safety, and electrical.
Moler would say all the stations at the state contest were difficult, but electrical stood out as the most difficult.
“Me and electrical don’t really get along,” Moler said.
Even though Crouch would say that Moler is solidly the second most talented student he has seen in over 20 years of teaching, the two nearly left the contest at Des Moines Area Community College early because he didn’t feel he did very well.
“But someone told [Crouch] that he heard I did the best in one of the stations so we decided to stay,” Moler said.
“I think we were all surprised,” Crouch said. “They named third and second and we were thinking he would be somewhere way down on the list, but then they said his name.”
For Moler, working on cars is second nature thanks to growing up around others working on cars. So, entering these SkillsUSA contests his freshmen year didn’t take much thought. He even managed to land a top three spot that year.
“I could tell when he first started, he has had some experience,” Crouch said. “He has been really nice to watch as he picked up on things and learn from me and work wherever he is at.”
In addition to learning automotive skills in the classroom under the instruction of Jerry Crouch, Moler also expands his knowledge through his work at Krusen Motors.
As Moler prepares to put all his skills to the test at the national contest, he is finding that the trip is rather expensive even with support from the school district. So, in addition to taking online tests prior to getting to the contest, Moler’s preparations also will include reaching out to local businesses and organizations for sponsorships to make the trip more affordable for himself and his family that would like to see him compete against the best high school automotive technicians in the country.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
