Area 30 students win big at state competitions

Area 30 Career Center has much to celebrate as several students earned top honors at the recent World-of-Wheels competition. Area 30 recently held its monthly meeting in which board members got an update about the good things going on at the career center.

Twenty students from the auto collision class and 19 students from the auto services class have good reason to be proud of the Best in Class trophy, which was earned at the 2013 World of Wheels competition held Feb. 8-10 in Indianapolis.

Over the past seven months, students once again applied the skills that were learned in the classroom and shop to rebuild and refurbish a damaged, but slightly modified 2003 Chevrolet S-10 truck.

The truck was acquired by Auto Collision instructor Rob Worman with the show in mind.

"The students, with the guidance of Mr. Worman, auto collision program assistant Jerry Thomas and Auto Services instructor Troy Anderson had a hand in all aspects of the project," explained Area 30 Executive Director Lora Busch. "The students also outfitted the truck with a sound system that included six speakers, a 2,600-watt amplifier, a touch screen receiver and a fabricated fiberglass base sound box."

Students also refurbished the body and overall paint, rebuilding the electronic controlled air ride, modifying the body to accommodate 20-inch wheels and reviving the rear axle and breaks.

Lincoln College of Technology and Ohio Technical College were also present at the show and have offered scholarships were offered to Area 30 students that are choosing to pursue college training in the Auto Collision and Auto Services fields.

Area 30 students also participated in the Skills USA Regional Competition, which occurred Feb. 9 at Vincennes University.

Students participated in computer maintenance repair, internetworking, power equipment and architectural drafting competitions.

Area 30 took the top five spots in the computer maintenance repair competition with Eric Wehrman of North Putnam High School taking first, Austin Query of South Putnam High School in second, Chris Worthington of Cloverdale High School capturing third, Tylor Alford of North Putnam High taking fourth and John Graves of North Putnam High School fifth.

Also placing were North Putnam High School student Jared Lubinski taking third in the internetworking competition and South Putnam High School student Scott Cummins fourth.

Eminence High School student Trey Greene took first in the power equipment competition while Greencastle High School students Willis Kemp and Nick Nevins were fourth and fifth, respectively.

North Putnam High School student Tyan Raupp took first in the architectural drafting competition with Greencastle High School student Caleb Robinson placing third and North Putnam High School student Blake Bonifacius fourth.

In other business:

* Area 30 recently signed a new lease agreement with Ascena Retail Group Inc. The lease includes the same term as previous years and will run until June 30, 2014.

* Area 30 will be hosting a luncheon on March 12 for all engineering teachers, principals and counselors. Solid Works will have a presentation on engineering software, which the board approved for use staring in August. A representative from the company will be sharing information and answering questions.

* Bush will be applying for the Indiana Department of Education CTE Resource Grant. The application is due March 1. If awarded, the grant will be used to purchase Solid Works software for all member schools.

* Area 30 approved its 2013-14 calendar. The calendar includes breaks, which now line up with all member schools.

The next Area 30 Career Center Board meeting is set for March 12 at 9 a.m.