After watching a SkillsUSA Collision Repair Technology competition at the state level last year, Elijah Stines turned to his Unake High School teacher and said, “I’m going to be your first national champion.” 

Last month, Stines fulfilled his promise to his teacher, Scotty Johnson. 

During the SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) held June 24-28, Stines was announced as the gold place champion of the Collision Repair Technology competition. 

The conference brings together about 16,000 attendees from across the country annually. State champions compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals in 115 skilled and leadership competitions. 

Johnson has been teaching SkillsUSA programs for about eight years at the high school he once graduated from in Elizabethton, Tennessee, a city about 21 miles south of Bristol, with a population of 14,500, according to the last census. 

He left the area for a collision program in North Carolina. After graduating, he worked at a shop for a few years before opening his own. 

A friend reached out about running the high school auto repair program. Johnson said it was a hard decision because he’d built his own business already. 

“But I knew the program needed a revamp,” Johnson said. “It has been a journey. I would like to think we’re improving every year and providing more opportunities for the kids.” 

Johnson said there’s no comparable experience to when he heard Stines announced as a national champion. 

“I’ve never felt anything like that,” he said. 

Stines says despite his confidence, he was still shocked to hear he won as well.

“It was the best feeling I’ve ever felt,” Stines said. “I really didn’t expect it. I knew I put in the work. I dedicated a lot of my time to this but when I heard the guy get called for for second place, my jaw just dropped.” 

It wasn’t easy to get to nationals, Stines said. 

He took every opportunity to get there whether that meant extra practice sessions at school or finishing online coursework for certifications, such as one through the 3M Collision Repair Academy. 

“There’s many YouTube videos that I’ve watched hundreds of times,” Stines said. “My instructor gave me the most help. Any question I ever had, he answered.” 

Johnson said Stines has a unique drive. 

“He didn’t want a PlayStation or any other game system for Christmas,” Johnson said. “He wanted a hammer and dollies.” 

Jason Bartanen, Collision Hub industry relations director and national SkillsUSA Collision Technology Committee chair, said 57 high school and college students competed in the Collision Repair Technology competition. 

Competitors had to demonstrate skills based on the task list outlined by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and the I-CAR Knowledge and Skills Protocol, according to SkillsUSA website. 

The competition assesses skills in the following areas: 

• • Metal straightening
  • Attachment methods
  • Plastic repair
  • Structural analysis

“The overall appearance of the finished product, speed, and proper safety practices are judged,” the website says. “There is a written test on structural analysis and an ASE exam. The students must upload a résumé and complete a mock interview.” 

Bartanen has worked with the organization for 25 years. He was a national competitor himself while in high school. 

“I love helping the school and preparing the future of the industry,” Bartanen said. “There have been a lot of stories of success that I’ve seen throughout the years.” 

Collision Repair Technology High School winners include  silver medalist Tyler Gille, of Maine and bronze medalist Benjamin Kimbark, of Maryland. College winners include gold medalist Jonathon Brunko, of Idaho, silver medalist Mario Saenz, of Colorado,  and bronze medalist Demetrio Foti of Utah.

IMAGES

SkillsUSA 2024 Collision Repair Technology: (L to R) front row: High School Tyler Gillie, Elijah Stines, Benjamin Kimbark. Back row (L to R): College/Postsecondary Mario Saenz; Jonathan Brunko,  Demetrio Foti. Far right, Jason Bartanan, Collision Hub, industry representative.