Area 30 students win big at World of Wheels

Friday, February 24, 2012
Area 30 students won more than $38,000 at the World of Wheels competition in Indianapolis. The following students won in the automotive services department. Cole Bridgewaters, Riley Boswell, Blaine Fenwick, Daniel Patterson, Willis Kemp, Jared Morgan, Trey Greene and Nick Nevins. The group performed under the instruction of Jerry Spackman.

A combined total of $38,000 in scholarship money to Ohio Technical College was won by Area 30 Career Center students of the Auto Collision and Auto Services programs at the World of Wheels competition.

This was the first year Area 30 students competed in the competition with four, two-person teams competing in the carburetor rebuilding competition. There were 16 teams total from different trade schools around Indiana.

Students competed in two different contests and placed first through fourth in all.

"It was a huge accomplishment for them," said Jerry Spackman teacher of Automotive Services Technology. "It was a great learning experience."

The competition, which was also sponsored by Edlebrock Carburetors, allowed teams just five weeks of practice time.

"Edlebrock sent us carburetors for each team to practice with," explained Spackman. "They had to disassemble, make adjustments to it and reassemble it while being timed."

All four teams from Area 30 took the top four spots in the competition. The first-place team, Blaine Fenwick and Riley Boswell of Greencastle High school each received a $5,000 scholarship.

The second-place team, Jared Morgan and Trey Green of Eminence High School received $4,000, the third-place team Willis Kemp and Nick Nevins of Greencastle received $3,000 and fourth place was awarded to Cole Bridgewaters and Daniel Patterson of Greencastle who both received a $1,000.

"The kids were really proud," said Spackman. "They had a really good time."

All scholarship money won from the competition can be combined with any future scholarships they may earn. Most students of the Area 30 who competed in the competition are juniors, therefore if they compete in the competition next year and win, any prize money will be added together.

Auto Collision students of Area 30 also competed in the Hood Scoop Painting Competition at the World of Wheels. Students took second and third in the contest.

The second-place winners for the hood scoop contest were Brandon Snyder of Cloverdale High School, Aaron Langdon of Greencastle High School, Joe Lehr of North Putnam High School and Brain Hubbard of North Putnam High School. All students each received a $2,000 scholarship. Langdon also received an additional $1,000.

Third place went to Dillion Lambermont of North Putnam High School and Andrew Jobes of Eminence High School. Each student received a $1,000 scholarship.

The 1968 Pontiac GTO the students restored and displayed also received the award of Outstanding in Class -- Custom Convertible Division. The Pontiac came in second against top professional restorers.

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  • Congratulations to all of these students. Area 30 is a wonderful school and gives so many opportunities to students. Keep up the good work guys!

    -- Posted by interested party on Fri, Feb 24, 2012, at 7:45 AM
  • Congrats to these students. We are so proud of you all, and the school. Keep up the good work.

    -- Posted by waepc on Fri, Feb 24, 2012, at 8:32 AM
  • It's great to see these students learning a trade they can take pride in. These are the skills our public schools are largely lacking.

    -- Posted by Clovertucky on Sat, Feb 25, 2012, at 3:18 PM
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