 |
May 2008 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, 26 March 2008 |
FFA students compete in agricultural mechanics
 Sean Klaus, of Wapakoneta High School, practices for an agricultural mechanics contest held Tuesday at Wapakoneta High School. (Staff photo/ Annie Zelm)
By ANNIE ZELM
Staff Writer
Hunched over his welding table, Cole Steinke can feel the heat from his welder.
Each movement of his instrument emits a burst of blue flames, and the hissing sounds and semi-sweet odors of searing metal waft through the workshop as several other teens work carefully at stations alongside his.
He pauses momentarily to adjust the oversized shield that protects his face before returning to his project.
Steinke, 18, a senior at Wapakoneta High School, was one of four local teens representing their school in a district-wide agricultural mechanics competition Tuesday.
If Steinke demonstrates a mastery of 10 areas of mechanical skill and places at the district level, he qualifies to advance to the state competition.
“So far it’s going alright — not too difficult,” Steinke said as he put the finishing touches on his welding sample and prepared to move to the next station. “The braising is a little tough because you have to make sure you have the flame just right.
“The stick welding is also difficult — you have to make sure you don’t go too fast, or it doesn’t get hot enough to make the piece as easy,” he said.
While this year is his first to compete in agricultural mechanics, Steinke said working at Moran Refrigeration in St. Marys gives him an edge in learning the basics of welding and electrical work.
Approximately 40 students from 12 northwest Ohio schools competed in the contest, held at Wapakoneta High School.
They were tested on welding, electrical wiring, and soldering as well as on their knowledge of small engines, fasteners and tools. The students also took a written test to demonstrate overall knowledge of agricultural mechanics.
“It’s a lot of little skills to see how mechanically-inclined they are,” agricultural instructor Ron Brown said as he supervised the activities.
“In every area, there’s different things the judges look for in terms of quality of the work,” he said. “A lot of hours are spent to get these kids ready.”
Each skill performed in the competition typically takes two to three weeks to teach in classroom workshop sessions, he said, and the students who choose to compete also spend time in the shop before and after school to hone their handiwork.
On Monday, when Wapakoneta High School students had the day off, the students planning to compete used the extra time to practice.
In addition to Steinke, three other Wapakoneta High School students — Kyle Perry, Jordan Whetstone and Kevin Schneider — trained to compete.
Ellen Gilliland, 16, a sophomore at Mohawk High School in Wyandot County, said she learned most of the skills specifically for the contest because her FFA class had not yet covered them.
“The hardest part was electrical — trying to figure out where everything goes and what part of the wire to screw together,” Gilliland said. “Seeing as it is my first time, I don’t think I’ll win, but I’m hoping for not last (place).”
Greg Reinhart, 17, a junior at Mohawk High School, said he felt confident competing for the third consecutive year.
As a veteran who already felt comfortable with each skill, he said his main focus was on the quality of his projects.
“To win, once you know how to do all the stuff, you try to learn how to do it better by talking to people and watching them do it,” Reinhart said. “I work at Mohawk Fab & Welding, so I use most of these skills everyday.
“My boss is a certified welder,” he said, “so I get a lot of time to watch him.”
Results of the district competition are scheduled to be announced Wednesday morning. |
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 27 March 2008 )
|
 | I love the fact that our town is growing so fast! Every time I come home from college, there is a new business opening! Katherine Brown - Wapakoneta, OH
|
| | |
|
|  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
