By: Ty Lounsbury
Scott Tavoline and Jack Duggan are the two seniors who won the Hands-On 2024 Pennsylvania Automotive Association Skip Wagner Automotive Technology Competition that took place in Hershey, PA. In December, eight students from Wallenpaupack took a Pennsylvania Automotive Association exam online, and the two highest scores from Wallenpaupack were compared to other schools in the state to decide which schools got to compete. Not only did Tavoline and Duggan qualify, but they also became champions of this year’s PAA Skip Wagner Automotive Technology Competition. Additionally, Scott Tavoline now holds the record for highest written test score in the state, and his score combined with Jack Duggan’s is the highest combined written test score in the state as well.
The competition was separated into two parts that were ninety minutes each. The first part consisted of fixing a customer complaint and performing an inspection on a 2024 Buick Encore. The second part comprised five different working stations that teams worked at for fifteen minutes each.
As the winners, the two students won lots of prizes: Scott was given a ½” drive torque that is valued at more than $200, both were awarded a Dewalt Grinder, a plaque, a $10,000 scholarship to the schools of their choice, tools, automotive apparel, several other gifts worth more than $2,000 from the sponsoring industry representatives, and a first place trophy and medals.
Although this sounds like a of prizes and awards, it was well-deserved. For two months before this competition, Tavoline and Duggan would come to school at 6:30 am and then they came back to school later into the evening to practice. Doc Watson was with them to give them new challenges to improve their abilities. “With the way Doc goes through everything, he really makes sure you’re prepared for all scenarios,” Tavoline explained, expressing his gratitude for his teacher.
Congratulations to both Scott Tavoline and Jack Duggan, and good luck in all future endeavors!
