In an exhilarating showcase of automotive talent, the Marshall Center for Advanced Careers of Alief ISD has emerged victorious as the winners of the highly competitive Student Automotive Tech Competition, earning the honor of representing their school at the North Texas Automobile Dealers Auto Tech Competition 2023 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth on December 1 and 2, 2023.

This premier event, presented by the ASE Education Foundation and the Houston Automobile Dealers Association, saw ten high school teams from across Houston competing in various automotive disciplines, including Preventative Maintenance Inspection and Repairs, Location of Fuse Panels and Relays, Navigating Service Information and Reading Wiring Schematics, Documenting/Typing/Writing on Repair Orders, and Navigating and Using Factory Scan Tools.

“We were honored to partner with the Houston Automobile Dealers Association to present this prestigious competition,” said Mike Coley, president of the ASE Education Foundation. “As the industry leader in providing solutions to the technician shortage, we always look to support events that inspire and connect the next generation of automotive service professionals with employers.”

The Marshall Center for Advanced Careers, under the sponsorship of Sterling McCall Nissan, consisted of three senior students, Jose Vera, Juan Gomez, and Kevin Alviter, who demonstrated exceptional skill, teamwork, and automotive expertise. They won customized trophies, $500 cash prize donated by Peak Old World Industries, tools from Matco, and a $100 bonus from ASE Foundation. Their school instructor, Julian Mendoza, was also awarded $250 from SPD Construction for his instructional excellence.

“The team’s dedication and preparation were evident throughout their training in the classroom and at the dealership,” said Rudy Albarran, of Sterling McCall Nissan. “Winning the competition set a new standard for excellence in automotive education.”

Teams from Clear Spring High School and Klein Collins High School also took home second and third-place awards, respectively. The Student Automotive Tech Competition provides an invaluable opportunity for these young talents to showcase their skills and fosters a connection between the automotive industry and the next generation of technicians.

“We congratulate the Marshall Center for Advanced Careers and Sterling McCall Nissan on their remarkable success and wish them the best of luck as they advance to the next level of competition,” said Wyatt Wainwright, president of Houston Automobile Dealers Association. “Their hard work and dedication serve as a testament to the future of the automotive industry and the promise of these young talents.”