Auto Dawgs finish productive year
Led by Ramona High School teacher Robert Grace, the Auto Dawgs attended three competitions this school year and placed in various positions.
During spring break, senior Benjamin Lackey and senior Alexia Hall participated in a national competition the Greater New York Auto Dealers held in New York. Students were selected to represent San Diego County based on grades they earned on an examination that tested various aspects of automobile maintenance and services, such as electrical harness repair, soldering, tire alignment and tire balance.
Using a STEM (science, technology, electric and math) board, judges also tested the students’ knowledge of high-level electronic circuits using automatic headlights.
Automatic headlights with poor wiring were presented to the students, who had to diagnose why the wire was malfunctioning and prove their findings to a judge, said Grace.
A simulation mimicking the computers built into various cars was another hands-on opportunity. The Auto Dawgs worked the simulation to show their knowledge of the computer’s main controls, as well as their ability to diagnose problems such as why one computer was unable to communicate with another.
Students were also tested on their ability to remove the battery from a hybrid vehicle.
“We trained for that at Kearny Mesa Subaru,” said Grace.
The Auto Dawgs placed 17th in the competition.
Eight Auto Dawgs participated in a state competition hosted by SkillsUSA at the Town and Country Convention Center in San Diego in early April.
The competition tested students in five categories: motorcycles, power mechanics, auto, welding and their skills during a mock job interview.
Motorcycle stations assessed the students’ abilities to identify various parts and tools, adjust valves, conduct precise measuring, and pass various exams.
“They had to do an online Harley Davidson exam on general motorcycle service and maintenance through Harley Davidson University,” said Grace. “They watch a video and then they take a test. For the retrain and to learn, this was the basics of motorcycle theory and then another one was just maintenance.”
Contestants were also asked to look up specs in books provided. “It was pretty in depth,” Grace noted.
Three Auto Dawgs placed in the motorcycle competition. Sophomore Seth Levy won first place, receiving various tools for his achievement and a full scholarship to the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) estimated to be $28,000.
Sophomore Garrett Brown placed second in the competition and won tools, as well as a $5,000 scholarship to MMI.
Junior Nathen Valdez came in third and received tools and a $1,000 MMI scholarship.
Stations prepared for power mechanics tested students on their knowledge of tools and parts, repairing a rope starter, voltmeter work and other power mechanics tasks.
“They had to disassemble a cylinder head and put it back together,” said Grace.
In this competition, freshman Ozzy Mcgowen placed third and received a Snap-on pick set. Freshman Kyle Dodd placed fourth.
Auto stations tested competitors’ understanding of brakes, electrical harness repair, industry safety, parts identification, steering, suspension and transmissions. Contestants also participated in mock job interviews.
Sophomore Justin Henry received ninth place in the auto competition.
In May, Auto Dawgs participated in a competition held at Cuyamaca College with two divisions: basic and advanced.
In the basic division, students worked in pairs to identify fluids, identify tools, nut and bolt measurements, and label 10 suspension parts. They also had to solder wires together and deduct the appropriate wire-length needed to connect two posts.
Freshmen Ozzy Mcgowen and Kyle Dodd took second place and each received tools such as a cordless screw gun and a socket set.
Sophomore Wes Larzalere and Henry placed third and received Snap-on tool sets.
In the advanced division, contestants showed their abilities regarding transmissions, power-flow, precision measurement, automatic transmission valve bodies, brake troubleshooting and other areas of mechanics. While participating in this division, students were asked to build an electrical circuit and use a digital voltmeter to decide the fault.
They were also asked to diagnose issues specific to multiple tires presented.
“Sections of tires (were) screwed to a board and they had to look at a tire to decide why it was wearing and then what the correction would be. They diagnose what they knew and diagnose why,” said Grace.
In the advanced division, senior Alexia Hall earned first place, the first girl ever to do so.
“Smart girl, real smart,” said Grace. “Hands-on, not afraid to get dirty. Good kid.”
Hall received a tool cart, a large socket set and air tools.
Junior Daniel Morris took second place and received a tool cart, a socket set and wrenches.
To better prepare for next year and any contests they participate in, Grace and the Auto Dawgs plan to train more in the electrical aspects of automobile mechanics.
“I bought a Snap-on meter training package,” said Grace. “So we’re going to focus a lot more on how to use the meter properly. This is what our emphasis is on because everything in cars is electrical now.”
Reflecting on the year, Henry noted the impact of the SkillsUSA program and encourages other Auto Dawgs to attend state next year.
“It was a pretty good, solid year,” said Henry. “(The SkillsUSA program) helped a lot. I learned a lot from it. The best part of it is meeting a lot of the other competitors from the different high schools and meeting our rivals that we go out there and compete against. We just had a rival this year and their two seniors finally graduated, so we’re hoping next year we can bring it back and bring home some golds for the Auto Dawgs.”