Annual Auto Competition Offers $82K in Scholarships

Twelve of the top automotive technology students from across CT’s technical high schools participated in the annual Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association (CARA) automotive technical competition on April 7, 2022. Held at Gengras Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in East Hartford, CT, nearly $82,000 in scholarship awards were available to the competitors.

“We have had some electrical diagnoses, alignment, transmission stuff, and had to navigate through a couple of websites,” said Benjamin Castro, a grade 12 automotive technology student from Norwich Technical High School. “This gives you a real feel for what will go on if you work at a dealership.”

“The technical schools and CARA have a great partnership and dealerships are always looking for young talent,” said Sarah Fryxell, CARA President. “My hope for the competition is that students get some hands-on experience at the dealership and they can see in real life the opportunities there are at the dealership for real work after they graduate.”

“Honestly, I am happy to be here even if I don’t win,” said Connor Stackpole, grade 12 automotive technology student from Henry Abbott Technical High School. “I’m still walking out with an experience that I’m not going to forget.”

Stackpole is attending the University of Northwestern Ohio to study Diesel this fall.

In addition to CARA and Gengras, multiple automotive technology schools, companies and other entities supported the competition including Universal Technical Institute, Ohio Tech, Lincoln Tech, Megatech, Viking, Gateway Community College, Snap-on, Joe Zahra Associates, and the Town of Waterbury.

“We are super excited to be helping support this event,” said Jim Tucker, General Manager at the East Hartford Gengras dealership. “One of the main reasons is we are greatly involved with CARA and all Gengras stores are currently looking for technicians. We are soliciting from the tech schools at the current time knowing that their skill levels are great and we are looking for long term employees.”

According to Tucker, the number of automotive technicians entering the field is dwindling, and it is challenging to find qualified staff. However, partnering with the technical high schools has proved successful in finding talent and exposing students to Gengras.

“That’s become our business model here to grow our service department,” he said.

Ultimately, students Anthony Russo from Emmett O’Brien Technical High School came out on top of the competition and took home the gold. Owen Cleaver and Alexander Almanza-Garcia from Windham Technical High School followed, winning both the silver and bronze.

Learn more about the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System’s Automotive Technology program.