A Kirkwood Career Academy Student
Local high school students who take Kirkwood Career Academy classes will gather Friday, April 3, at Kirkwood, to show off their automotive skills and have a chance at a great scholarship.
For the past six years, Kirkwood has sponsored this competition to not only showcase student talents, but to acquaint these high performing students with local businesses and with Kirkwood’s state of the art automotive technology program.
“It’s a great experience for them to demonstrate the skills they have learned over the course of the year, while also being exposed to the main campus program and labs,” said Jonathon Pope, Kirkwood faculty advisor for the program and competition. “There typically is local support from various dealers and advisory board members that day, as well.”
The competition starts at 8:30 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m., at the Automotive Technology building. The McGrath group and Snap-on® Tools representatives will attend this year’s event. Other supporters include Barron Motor Supply, the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA club) and the Model A Club.
Focused mainly on automotive electrical systems, the event welcomes competitors who take Career Academy classes at Kirkwood’s Linn County Regional Center, Jones County Regional Center, Benton County Center, Washington County Regional Center and Iowa City. Other skills highlighted include computerized engine controls, alignment angles, cylinder head measurements and vehicle inspections.
This year’s prizes are:
- $1,000 scholarship to attend the Kirkwood Automotive Technology program, a Snap-on® master tap and die set, micrometer set, test light, electrical back probe set and a solder gun.
- Second place wins a $500 discount off their Snap-on® toolset when they enroll in the Kirkwood Automotive Technology program, micrometer set, test light, electrical back probe set and a solder gun.
- Third place wins a micrometer set, test light and an electrical back probe set.
*****EVENT*****
What: Automotive Career Academy Competition
When: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Friday, April 3
Where: Automotive Technology Building, Kirkwood main campus