Two PTC automotive technology students win big at annual SkillsUSA conference

Two outstanding PTC automotive technology students, Shayne Bontjes and Jake Charpentier, stole the show at the SkillsUSA Minnesota Leadership and Skills Conference held Mar. 23 through Mar. 25 at the DoubleTree/Hilton in Minneapolis, Minn.

Bontjes received a third place award and is tentatively planning a May, 2013 graduation with an A.A.S. in automotive technology. Charpentier received an honorable mention/fourth place award and also is tentatively planning a May, 2013 graduation with an automotive technology diploma.

"Everyone in the auto shop is very proud of Shayne and Jake. They represented PTC very well at the annual conference, and they are both excellent student leaders in the auto program, as well as across campus," says Jeff Ruth, Automotive Technology Instructor and PTC SkillsUSA Chapter Advisor.

The SkillsUSA organization is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce; the organization is comprised of more than 13,000 school chapters in 54 state and territories and focuses on serving students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. Bontjes and Charpentier are members of the PTC chapter.

Photo at top: Automotive Technology students Shayne Bontjes (left) and Jake Charpentier (right) showcase awards won at the SkillsUSA Minnesota Leadership Conference.

PTC welcomes sixth-grade girls for annual Women in Technology event

Pine Technical College is in the midst of hosting its twelfth annual Women in Technology (WIT) two-day event. The event means PTC will host more than 260 sixth-grade girls from six area schools, on campus to learn about careers in hi-tech industries. The event, organized by PTC faculty and staff members, features hands-on demonstrations, a tour of the college and guest presentations such as "Making Silver Metal," "The Energy Industry," "Virtual Reality," "What’s in My Lipstick?" and more. The event started earlier today and ends tomorrow, Wed. Mar. 7.

"Research has shown girls at this age begin to formulate ideas regarding what careers they may see themselves pursuing in the future," says PTC Dean of Student Affairs Nancy Mach. "We’ve designed this event to help young girls see and imagine themselves in roles where they are contributing to advanced, hi-tech industries. Many girls at this impressionable age are forming thoughts about what they want to do when they grow up, and this kind of field trip makes a lasting, positive impression," Mach adds.


Photo above: An ambassador from the Science Museum of Minnesota delivers the closing keynote address entitled "Energy Connections."

Photo at top: Terri Nelson, Healthcare Alliance Program Coordinator, demonstrates the technology used within healthcare training by showcasing a SimMan.

Shooters' Association hosts successful 29th Annual Gun Show

The Pine Technical College Shooters' Association hosted the 29th Annual Gun Show over the weekend, and firearms enthusiasts and collectors from all corners of the Midwest turned out to trade, buy, sell, and browse guns, rifles, knives, and outdoor gear.

"We had about 2,700 people come through," says Doug Pieper, PTC Gunsmithing Technology instructor and Shooters' Association Advisor. "We really look forward to hosting this event each year; it's a chance for our gunsmithing students to showcase projects they've been working on in class to industry professionals as well as an opportunity to show off our gunsmithing program," Pieper adds.

Next year's event, the 30th Annual Gun Show, is scheduled for Feb. 23 and 24, 2013. For information regarding registering as a vendor, call 320-629-5168.

Photo at top: Gun Show attendees browse, buy, sell, and trade guns, rifles, and knives in PTC's Automotive Technology lab - outfitted to accommodate the annual event.