2 WACTC seniors to test mechanical team skills at NYC auto show
Brian Kennelly, left, service manager for Colussy Chevrolet in Bridgeville, works with Western Area Career and Technology Center seniors, Chris Rogers from Trinity High School, Michael Rhine from McGuffey, and their WACTC instructor, Tim McLaughlin, right, in one of the bays in the service center.
Western Area Career and Technology Center students, Chris Rogers, left from Trinity and Michael Rhine from McGuffey work together on a vehicle in one of the bays in the service center at Colussy Chevrolet in Bridgeville Tuesday.
Western Area Career and Technology Center instructor Tim McLaughlin, left, works under the hood with two of his students, Michael Rhine from McGuffey, and Chris Rogers, right, from Trinity, in one of the service bays at Colussy Chevrolet in Bridgeville Tuesday.
Chris Rogers has been driven by cars since he was very young.
“I’ve been working on them pretty much since I could pick up a wrench,” he said.
Michael Rhine is a late-blooming gearhead.
“I could change oil before I came here . . .” he said, trailing off and smiling.
Three years after enrolling in the auto mechanics program “here” – Western Area Career & Technology Center – Rogers has enhanced his motor vehicle IQ and Rhine has closed the knowledge gap between them. They have become accomplished mechanics, and teammates with a viable shot at the big enchilada in the Big Apple.
These high school seniors will represent Western Pennsylvania in the New York International Auto Show, a stringent test of their mechanical expertise, April 6-8. It is a national championship, a vehicular version of March Madness for students 18 and under – gaskets instead of baskets.
The mission for all is to successfully negotiate the C’s: complaint, cause, correction. Competitors will work without help from their instructors, including hand gestures.
Rogers, of Trinity, and Rhine, of McGuffey, will compete against 47 other teams at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, where the top 15 will be eligible for scholarship money. The Washington County team is headed there by virtue of finishing first in local events Jan. 21 and March 4 at Community College of Allegheny County’s West Hills Center.
Not bad for a duo that joined forces only months ago. They were selected for competition by Tim McLaughlin, their instructor at the Chartiers Township school, which offers educational programs for high school students and adults.
McLaughlin said “they had the highest scores in testing” among his 45 students.
“The knew each other prior to competing, but they had never worked together,” he said, “Michael has learned a lot at Western Area. The key is how much (information) you want to soak up.”
McLaughlin and the young men were interviewed Tuesday at Colussy Chevrolet in South Fayette Township, where certified staff technicians offered advice, experience and expertise.
Colussy, in operation since 1918, is the oldest surviving Chevy dealership in the world. Service manager Brian Kennelly said the company likes to assist mechanics in programs such as Western Area’s. It also is involved with General Motors’ Automotive Service Educational Program, for those out of high school.
Rogers and Rhine, both 18, worked on a 2015 Chevy Cruze at the dealership last week. That will be their model of choice in New York.
“Here, they will get familiar with components then be more familiar with the car,” Kennelly said. “What they do with cars these days is pretty sophisticated.”
Upon their arrival, the Western Area trio met with Kennelly for about a half-hour, talking cars, cars, cars. Kennelly has extensive experience, and immediately after meeting them, provided sage advice for the students.
Looking directly at them, the service manager said: “If you put the time in and work, there’s money to be made in this field. Again, that’s if you put your mind to it. This is a good field to be in. Just ignore anything else you hear.”
Western Area’s R&R boys appear to be headed toward this career path. Rogers, however, will start much sooner. Rhine will be a soldier first; he’ll begin a four-year commitment with the Army Aug. 3.
“When I get out, though, I want to do this,” said the South Franklin Township resident. “I’ll see how the first four years go.”
Rogers, of Wolfdale, said: “I pretty much will do this.”
He said he services most of his family’s cars, the exception being the one his mother leases, and works with an uncle. He also does work for a neighbor.
“My specialty is small engines, like weed whackers,” Rogers added.
Next week, both will learn about life in a really big city. Rhine said he has never been to Gotham and Rogers said he’s merely “been through there.” Theirs will be the proverbial all-expense-paid trip, including three days of lodging at at the Sheraton in Times Square.
It’s a long way from central Washington County.
Winning the two regional events earned them another perk: $3,500 in scholarships to CCAC, if they wish to further their auto education after high school. Each has received a $2,500 scholarship from the Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Association and one for $1,000 from CCAC.
Now they are a team made for Manhattan, one of 48 from the U.S., one of three from Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and Harrisburg also will be represented).
Finishing first will be a challenge, but Michael Rhine and Chris Rogers are aware that if you can make it there, you’re gonna make it anywhere.