Auto-Tech students at Brownwood High School won Best-in-Show and a 1st place/Superior rating at the State SkillsUSA Conference held March 22-24, 2012 in Corpus Christi. A team of students that included Roberto Flores, Cooper Mean, Jose Rodriguez, Celso Sifuentes, and Fernando Narvaez (pictured above with BHS Auto Tech Teacher Dean Crofford), worked since February to restore a 1947 Ford 8N Tractor and completely rebuilt what started out as an old rusted-out and non-functioning piece of farm equipment.
“We put about $4000 into it,” said Dean Crofford, Auto Tech Teacher at Brownwood High School. “The gas tank had holes in it from rust. It was a piece of junk.”
The team stripped the tractor down piece by piece, painting, fixing, buying, and fabricating parts as needed. A project manual documented every step and expenditure along the way.
“We spent a lot of money on it,” said Crofford. “This is probably the best project we’ve ever done in the 10 years I’ve been here.”
In addition to the awards won at the state conference, the team also brought back Best-in-Show and a 1st Place/Superior rating at the district conference in February.
