CPHS Auto Students Win First in UTI Top Tech Challenge

Students from Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana gathered with 22 teams of two for the 2022 Universal Tech Institute Top Tech Challenge in Lisle, IL on Feb. 10. Crown Point High School automotive technology senior Will Hodge and junior Tyler Anderson beat them all for the top prize of $10,000 scholarships for each, a tool box for each, the first place trophy, and tools for hand tools for CPHS.

“UTI is going to help with getting certifications to become more qualified to get pretty much any job in the automotive field available,” Hodge said. This scholarship adds to the $2,500 he won in November for an essay contest. He plans to go into the automotive industry and currently works for a shop in Lowell.

In the Top Tech Challenge, there were two competitions to demonstrate hands-on skill and written understanding of fundamentals. The other CPHS students toured the UTI campus, took turns on UTI’s virtual reality simulator, and worked with new automotive diagnosing software.

“The students had a written test to complete along with four hands-on activities that included checking various components and being able to perform troubleshooting skills to diagnose various problems,” CPHS Automotive Technology Instructor Dan White said.

Anderson said White encouraged him to compete in the challenge. Anderson has been working on cars for a few years with his father and takes the Auto Service II class. “The challenge was pretty easy for us,” Anderson said. “You had to read codes and measure brake rotors.” Anderson enjoys repairing jet skis in his free time.

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