Student from Emmett O’Brien Technical High School Wins Automotive Technology Challenge

HARTFORD, CT (April 21, 2022)- Anthony Russo, of Emmett O’Brien Technical High School in Ansonia, won the 2022 Automotive Technology Competition for the Connecticut Technical High Schools (CTHS). The event is sponsored by the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association (CARA).

Twelve students from seven of the CTHS participated in the competition held at Gengras Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in East Hartford on Thursday, April 7th. Students were evaluated on electrical diagnosis and theory, hands-on vehicle repair, tire and wheel technology, vehicle diagnostics, climate control and interview skills. 

“This competition is a great experience for the students of the CTHHS,” CARA President Sarah Fryxell said. “This competition demonstrates how industries can work with schools to create job training programs. The partnership CARA has with the CTHS is a strong one that allows our dealerships to assist with training which ultimately benefits both parties.”

This year teams from the following schools participated in the Automotive Technology Competition: EC Goodwin THS, New Britain; Eli Whitney THS, Hamden; Emmett O’Brien THS, Ansonia; H.H. Ellis THS, Danielson; Henry Abbott THS, Danbury; Norwich THS, Norwich; and Windham THS, Willimantic. 

In addition to Russo winning gold, Owen Cleaver and Alexander Almanza-Garcia - both from Windham Technical High School - won silver and bronze respectively. 

Scholarships totaling close to $82,000 were distributed to six of the participating teams. Supporters of the competition included Universal Technical Institute, Lincoln Tech, Ohio Tech, and Megatech,