HVAC students test their skills at TSTC competition

(WACO, Texas) - Texas State Technical College's Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technology program hosted its first HVAC Challenge on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the Waco campus.

More than 50 TSTC students were divided into groups to demonstrate their knowledge in electrical wiring, refrigeration, soldering with copper, and troubleshooting.

The event's purpose was for students to meet industry representatives and show off their skills, said Jamie Brannen, an instructor in TSTC's HVAC Technology program.

Dustin Uptmore, general manager of Capstone Mechanical in Waco, has been where today's HVAC students are. Uptmore is a graduate of TSTC's HVAC Technology program and has worked his way up through the company.

"These students are the future of the HVAC profession," he said. "It (the competition) helps build camaraderie together for the students in a healthy, controlled environment."

Timothy Miller, of Waco, is in his first semester in TSTC's HVAC Technology program. He said he was using the competition as a way to see what equipment and skills he needs a better understanding of.

Lane Ramzinski, a third-semester HVAC Technology student from Adkins, used his experience working in the field along with what he has learned in classes to tackle the competition. He said he enjoyed soldering and troubleshooting but thought he could have done better on the written test.

Ramzinski said the contest was a reminder to continue teaching himself to stay calm and not become overwhelmed.

Brannen said he wants to see the program have the contest yearly.

"I would like to see other programs do something like this," he said. "I would like to see our statewide HVAC programs compete against each other."

Scholarships provided by The TSTC Foundation were awarded to the top three first- and second-semester students along with third-, fourth- and fifth-semester students.

Michael Walden, of Bedias, Nicholas Garcia, of Belton, and Tyler Cotter, of Bryson, placed in the top three among first- and second-semester students.

Miguel Martinez, of Hewitt, Johnathan Sustaita, of Waco, and Ramzinski placed in the top three among third-, fourth- and fifth-semester students.

Registration for TSTC's spring semester is underway. To learn more, go to tstc.edu.

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