New Mexico Junior College’s (NMJC) Automotive Technology program was held on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, as high school automotive students from across the region gathered for the second annual Automotive Competition. The event, organized by NMJC Automotive Technology department, brought together students from 15 different schools, alongside industry representatives from dealerships, repair facilities, and tool manufacturers. The competition, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., comprised 17 stations each presenting unique challenges. Contestants demonstrated their skills by competing for different prizes, scholarships, and other incentives. The stations included interviews, hands-on calculations, and written portions. 

Following the competition, attendees were treated to the exciting spark plug challenge, where students engaged in head-to-head contests to remove and reinstall spark plugs in an engine. The excitement continued with an unforgettable airbag deployment presentation, captivating the audience with a live demonstration.

"It's exciting as we get to host not only various businesses and educational partners, but many eager high school students as well,” said Dean of Workforce Training and Professional Studies Larchinee Turner. “Some of them will hopefully be future Thunderbirds! This event is a testament to months of planning and organizing from various sources, and I'm grateful for the dedication of our staff, faculty, and volunteers."

The awards ceremony concluded the event, recognizing the top individual student competitors and schools. The top three winning schools were Artesia High School, El Dorado High School, and Coronado High School. The first-place winner was Chance Boans from Artesia High School, who won an industry three-drawer tool cart, a Milwaukee half-inch electric impact, a large assortment of ratchets, wrenches screwdrivers, and pliers, and a large assortment of deep and shallow sockets. 

"What this competition means to me is a chance to highlight what the automotive technology department at NMJC has to offer future students,” said Director of Automotive Technology and Professor of Ford ASSET Kelley Williams. “We have an amazing facility, with highly trained, qualified, and experienced training instructors."

Williams emphasized the extensive planning involved in making the event a success, noting the introduction of new lab stations and months of preparation. Looking ahead, Williams expressed optimism for an even greater turnout in the future, with plans to expand participation among schools, dealerships, repair facilities, and vendors.

For NMJC, the competition serves as a valuable recruiting opportunity, showcasing the college's diverse educational offerings beyond automotive technology. "Many of the students who compete in the competition may not necessarily be interested in a career in the automotive industry, however they are interested in other opportunities that NMJC has to offer," Williams added.

New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) is a leading educational institution committed to providing success through learning and high-quality education to its diverse student body. Founded in 1965, NMJC offers a wide range of academic programs, certifications, and services to empower students to achieve their educational and career goals.

 

Contact: Valerie Onsurez Gauna, Director of Engagement & Outreach, New Mexico Junior College, 575-492-2780, vgauna@nmjc.edu, or Deira Fernandez, Recruiter, 575-492-2776, dfernandez@nmjc.edu.