Ames High senior Gage Myers Placed 1st in the Automotive Service Technology SkillsUSA Contest

Ames High senior Gage Myers recently won 1st place in the Automotive Service Technology SkillsUSA contest at the Iowa state-level competition. This competition earned Myers personal tools that he will be able to use to further his learning and career. He will also compete in the National SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta Georgia, from June 20-24. 

Leland Staton, Automotive Instructor at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), said, “This opens up some big doors for him. Gage has a good possibility of receiving additional scholarships and he will be recognized on a national level.” 

The purpose of the SkillsUSA competition is “to evaluate each contestant’s preparation for employment and to recognize outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the field of automotive service technology.” The contest is open to any active SkillsUSA member who is enrolled in a career and technical program. 

The contest includes a written knowledge test given by National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and covers all eight automobile areas identified in the ASE Education Foundation Automobile Program Standards and the Official ASE Study Guide. The test for these high school and college/postsecondary contests is comprised of diagnostic and repair content from the following skill areas: engine repair, automatic transmission/transaxle, manual drivetrain and axles, suspension and steering, brakes, electrical/electronic steering, heating and air conditioning and engine performance.

Qualifying for the SkillsUSA National competition is incredibly competitive and opens the opportunity for Myers to be recruited by one of the major auto manufacturers in the nation. “These opportunities are not ones that very many people get a chance to receive,” said Stanton.