It was Mini-MITES Monday in Oxford High School’s auto lab as 24 students put their skills and knowledge to the test.
MITES stands for Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society.
Every year, MITES hosts a state competition for high school students studying the various skilled trades. A contingent of OHS auto students is always sent to compete.
Inspired by this event, auto instructor Dan Balsley decided to conduct a Mini-MITES competition for students in his Auto Tech 2 class.
‘The purpose is to motivate students ? and it’s also a lot of fun,? he said. ‘I’ve offered the brake service competition for (students in) Auto Tech 1 for years and years, but I didn’t have any kind of competition for the Auto Tech 2 or 3 groups.?
During Mini-MITES, students demonstrated their hands-on skills and competence in areas of service involving brakes, suspension, steering and alignment, measurements, scan diagnostics and electrical diagnosis.
They also took a written test to gauge their general knowledge.
Auto Tech 3 students supervised and judged the competitors.
Overall, Ricky Johnson took first place, Jake Meixell placed second and Nate Beltramo came in third.
Listed from first to third, here’s how everyone placed in each area:
Brakes ? Ricky Johnson, Cody Blanchard and Louie Urban; Steering and Alignment ? Ricky Johnson, Anson Rowley and Nate Beltramo; Suspension ? Ricky Johnson, Conner Jones and Anson Rowley; Electrical ? Jake Meixell, Joe Brodeur and Johnny Ulatowski; Scan Diagnostics ? Griffin Hahn, Joe Brodeur and Nate Beltramo; Measurements ? Joe Brodeur, Dylan Foutz and Jake Reed; Written Test ? Griffin Hahn, Joe Brodeur and Dylan Foutz.
Prizes were provided by event sponsors, which included the Rotary Club of Oxford, Oxford McDonald’s, Steve’s Oxford Automotive, Wright Tool Company, Tom’s Hardware and Snap-on Tool Co.
Balsley is grateful to all the sponsors.