Access Your Future Students Earn Prestigious Honors at National Competition
Posted 04/23/2010 —Two RDO Equipment Co. - sponsored John Deere Tech students from the North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) recently won national honors at the Post Secondary Agricultural Students Organization (PAS) competition held in St. Louis, Mo. The students competed in the Agricultural Machinery Service Technician career program area (AMSTA). In addition, Brandon Spellerberg won the highest overall individual score at the competition.
Those winning national honors were:
First Place - Brandon Spellerberg and Grant Hofmann. Brandon is from Mooreton, N.D., and is sponsored by RDO Equipment Co. of Breckenridge, Minn. (Grant is sponsored by Frontier Ag & Turf of Cannon Falls, Minn.)
Sixth Place - Brian Reppe and Jesse Maly. Jesse is from Havana, N.D., and is sponsored by RDO Equipment Co. of Lisbon, N.D. (Brian is sponsored by Schuneman Equipment Company of Milbank, Brookings, and Garretson, S.D.)
Competitors at the AMSTA event were judged on results of a written examination, and hands-on knowledge of measuring and testing, diagnostic and repair, and calibration and adjustment.
"We are very proud of Brandon and Jesse, and how they demonstrated their knowledge and skill at this year's competition. We are anxious for them to begin full-time at our Breckenridge and Lisbon stores,"said Jeff Lemna, a Northern Agriculture General Manager.
The North Dakota State College of Science John Deere TECH program is an intense, two-year program designed to prepare students to excel in the high-tech, fast-paced world of a John Deere Service Technician. The curriculum balances classroom theory, hands-on lab work, and paid internships - tremendous opportunities to "earn while you learn" in the real world of the John Deere dealership that sponsors each student.
Materials covered include John Deere diesel engines, powertrains, hydraulics, and machine set-up systems. Students become proficient with high-tech electronics, computer diagnostics, and proprietary John Deere systems. Students also benefit from learning the communication and customer relation skills essential for their success. John Deere students graduate with an associate's degree.
