WIX Filters and O’Reilly Auto Parts, partners with Tomorrow’s Tech as title sponsors for the 2016 School of the Year competition, have announced the Top 20 schools selected from 140 nominations across 60 schools in the U.S.
“This really is one of our favorite times of the year,” said Jennifer Gibson, brand manager for WIX Filters. “This program brings national focus to schools that are extraordinary examples of where our industry is headed; it’s an honor to learn about their hard work and dedication to their craft. We look forward to seeing the video submissions.”
The Top 20 schools are:
Region 1 (Northeast)
• Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School: Marlborough, MA
• Automotive Training Center: Warminster, PA
• Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology: Boston, MA
• Essex Technical High School: Hathorne, MA
• Passaic County Technical Institute: Wayne, NJ
• Suffolk County Community College: Selden, NY
Region 2 (South)
• Elizabethtown Community and Technical College: Elizabethtown, KY
• Maxwell High School of Technology: Lawrenceville, GA
• Ranken Technical College: St. Louis, MO
• Satellite High School: Satellite Beach, FL
Region 3 (Midwest)
• Arrowhead High School: Hartland, WI
• Joliet Junior College: Joliet, IL
• Kishwaukee College: Malta, IL
• Southern Illinois University Automotive Technology: Carbondale, IL
• University of Northwestern Ohio: Lima, OH
Region 4 (West)
• American River College: Sacramento, CA
• Blackfoot High School: Blackfoot, ID
• Lake Area Technical Institute: Watertown, SD
• Rio Hondo Community College: Whittier, CA
• Tulsa Tech: Broken Arrow, OK
“Tomorrow’s Tech shares O’Reilly Auto Parts’ and WIX Filters’ support to recognize automotive schools and highlight the training of these promising auto repairers, collision specialists and heavy-duty service personnel,” said Jennifer Clements, editor of Tomorrow’s Tech, a Babcox Media publication for automotive students. “We are continually impressed by the caliber of training these schools are providing, and we look forward to honoring the best of the best.”
The Top 20 schools have been asked to submit a video highlighting their tech programs by Friday, September 16. Judges will review the video entries and select four finalists, or one from each region. The winner will be selected from the four finalists, with a surprise ceremony in October and a formal announcement during AAPEX on Oct. 31.
The winning school will receive:
• Visit by Tomorrow’s Tech staff and program sponsors
• $2,500 WIX Filters donation to the school’s program
• O’Reilly and WIX Filters gear
• Appearance by either the WIX or O’Reilly Auto Parts marketing unit
• Travel for the class instructor and a guest to Las Vegas to attend Babcox Media’s recognition dinner at AAPEX
Each nominated school will receive national recognition in Tomorrow’s Tech print and online editions, as well as through social media channels. Schools selected to the final four will receive a professional automotive tool set and a $250 gift card from O’Reilly Auto Parts.
This is the ninth annual search to find the best technical training school in the U.S. The program is open to high schools or post-secondary schools that have a subscription to Tomorrow’s Tech. For more information on WIX, please visit wixfilters.com.
