Eldorado High's Automotive Program Proves Its Worth

Team wins regional competition, showcasing practical skills and industry-standard training.

Brom Stewart has always loved taking things apart and putting them back together. By age 12, he was already disassembling small engines on dirt bikes and ATVs.

So when he heard Eldorado High School’s automotive program would allow him to work on full-scale engines and cars and learn industry standards that could be applied in other areas besides vehicles, he jumped at the opportunity.

“I feel like Auto-Tech has helped me in many other classes, specifically math and science,” he said. “It is a class I would absolutely recommend.”

Now in his junior year, with a few years of automotive classes under his belt, Stewart is still passionate about automobiles and plans to turn that passion into a well-paying career.

But how does the education he’s getting at Eldorado stack up against other high school automotive programs? If the results of last month’s regional New Mexico Junior College Automotive Competition are any indication, it stacks up quite well. 

Eldorado’s team, which includes Stewart and three of his classmates, took first place in the competition in Hobbs on Feb. 13. Besides Stewart, the team included seniors Gabe Velasquez and Michael Plebanski and junior Zoey Nelson.

Roughly 80 students from New Mexico, Texas and Utah competed in 17 lab stations, including inspections, measuring, electrical circuit creation and job interviews. Artesia High School took second place in the competition, with Emery High School in Castle Dale, Utah, coming in third. 

Stewart, who also placed fourth individually, said he was nervous going into the competition but ultimately felt confident he and the team did what they could to prepare for it.

Given the first-place finish, “I know we are an extremely talented team and school, and our hard work and skill are what secured our win.” 

The students’ success was a source of pride and affirmation for their teacher, Stacey Adams.

“It feels good to know what I am teaching is practical in the industry,” Adams said.

He said competitions like this allow students to test their skills and experience junior college. 

“It helps prepare them for their future education and career,” Adams said.

Stewart, for example, plans to attend NMJC.

“They have a fantastic automotive program, I believe one of the best in the state,” Stewart said. “This is where I’m planning to start my journey in the automotive field.” 

This is the second consecutive year the team from Eldorado placed in the top two in the NMJC competition. Eldorado students say a big reason for their success is Adams, who provides them with invaluable hands-on experience.

The program’s success comes as APS works to better prepare students for the college and career of their choice. Adams estimates 10 percent of his students plan to pursue a career in the automotive industry.

“When I came to teach, it was all about industry standards,” Adams said. “This gives the student real applications in the industry. It used to be that Auto was a hobby class, but I think people are finally starting to understand that career technical training is possible in a high school setting.”