ISU Hosts Annual JumpStart Competition

Celebrating the exceptional talents of high school students in automotive and diesel technology, this competition drew participants from across Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Oregon, showcasing the skills of tomorrow's industry leaders.

“The Annual Jumpstart Competition is a great opportunity for High School Automotive students to come and compete for prizes and scholarships,” said Brock Gunter, program coordinator for the Automotive Technology program at the ISU College of Technology. “Most of the students are part of the SkillsUSA organization and this competition is a practice for their state competitions.”

This year's event saw 64 competitors engage in a rigorous contest at the ISU College of Technology’s state-of-the-art William M. and Karin A. Eames Advanced Technical Education and Innovation Complex. The event featured a blend of written examinations and hands-on challenges across multiple stations, testing participants' knowledge and skill in areas ranging from mechanical part identification to electrical system diagnostics.

"This event offers a unique platform for students interested in diesel technology to demonstrate their abilities and learn from each other," said Terro Anderson, program coordinator for the Diesel/On-Site Power Generation Technology program at the ISU College of Technology. "It's a practical showcase of talent, dedication, and the potential for future contributions to the field."

The 2024 JumpStart Competition not only highlighted the technical prowess of the participants but also served as a pivotal step towards the SkillsUSA state competition. Thanks to the generous support of NAPA Auto Parts, Earl Boyer from Snap-on Tools, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts and the ISU Automotive SkillsUSA Club, winners were awarded tools and equipment to further their education and career aspirations.

Winners of the 2024 JumpStart Competition:

• Automotive Technology:
• 1st Place: Walker Phillips, Vale High School, Vale, OR
• 2nd Place: Brock Richter, Harper High School, Harper, OR
• 3rd Place: Dominic Vates, Vale High School, Vale, OR

• Diesel/On-Site Power Generation Technology:

• 1st Place: Ace Christensen Harper High School, Harper, OR
• 2nd Place: TJ Trowell, Vale High School, Vale, OR
• 3rd Place: Caleb Wood, Technical Careers High School, Idaho Falls, ID

For more information and updates on future competitions, visit the Idaho State University College of Technology website at isu.edu.