Delco students revved up for auto competition
Two county students tried to cruise control their way to victory at an automotive technical competition on
Matthew DePalma and Mike Ottaviano are paired as the Delaware County Technical High Schools representatives at the 24th Annual Automotive Technology Competition. They’ll face against 11 other pairs of technical students from the greater Philadelphia area to see who has mastered the skills of being an auto technician.
The winners earn full scholarships to the technical school of their choice and earn a spot in the National Automotive Technology Competition in New York.
“One of the goals is to build awareness of the fact that qualified auto technicians need to have the automotive, and technical skills,” said Mary Lynn Alvarino, director of operations for the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia.
DePalma and Ottaviano, both students in the automotive technology program at the Folcroft campus, earned their way to the hands-on competition after earning the top scores for DCTS on a 100-question exam administered in November. The exam covers eight sections of Automotive Service Excellence.
At the competition, they had to participate in 10 different work stations that go over all parts of the car, mechanical and technical, which includes fixing a car that is pre-programmed with bugs, figuring out why a car won’t start up in the first place and performing a pre-delivery inspection of a new vehicle. DePalma and Ottaviano have been practicing on a vehicle lent by Glen Mills dealer David Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram.
Over 60 volunteers from Friday in Warminster. the automobile retail industry serve as judges, and decide the overall winner of the competition.
Approximately $1 million in scholarships, tools and prizes are up for grabs in addition to entry at the national competition.
Administrators from the Delaware County Intermediate Unit which oversees technical education – had glowing comments for the achievements of their students.
“We are proud of all of our career and technical students, but especially of students like Matt and Mike, who have worked hard, prepared themselves and who are willing to represent DCTS and show off the skills they have acquired in our automotive technology program,” said DCIU Executive Director Maria Edelberg.
Director Phil Lachimia credits the automotive technology program with providing students with “significant means” to get successful careers after high school.
“The hands-on, real world experience they gain in the program helps them to compete not only in this competition, but also in life,” he said.