Photo courtesy of Perry Community School District

One of the premier programs available at the Des Moines Area Community College VanKirk Career Academy in Perry is Automotive Skills, and a few of its high school students were recently recognized at a state competition.

The 28th Annual DMACC and Iowa Automobile Dealers Association (IADA) Automotive Skills Contest was held on December 13th in Ankeny. Perry High School student Alex Fickbohm earned the highest score for a sophomore in the state in the written test aspect of the contest. He was awarded a toolset for his efforts. Meanwhile, Adel-DeSoto-Minburn student Nolan Saveraid and Charley Guardado of Perry joined forces and placed seventh in the hands-on portion of the skills contest. They also received tools and supplies provided by the IADA.

The three local students were among the over 220 students participating in the competition, representing 16 different central Iowa school districts.