Oil and lubricant company Chevron has kicked off its 27th annual Chevron Tractor Restoration Competition, which accepts applications from high school students across the United States.
The competition is designed to foster hands-on learning, critical thinking, and teamwork among high school students, while also celebrating the rich heritage of agricultural machinery.
More than $20,000 in prize money will be awarded to the national winners, with the top three prizes being:
- Grand Champion: $10,000
- Reserve Champion: $5,000
- Third Place: $3,000
Since 1997, the Chevron Tractor Restoration Competition has rewarded the determination, mechanical skills, and business savvy of high school tractor restoration experts from around the country.
The skills needed for success in the program — equipment mechanics, teamwork, project management, budgeting, planning and marketing, networking, presentation skills, and confidence — help develop the participants into future leaders in the agriculture community and the modern business world.
“The Chevron TRC program provides the perfect opportunity not only for hands-on learning and the application of skill sets, but teamwork, leadership development, project management, and interview skills. No other program has provided such a complete experience for my students,” said Buster Padgett, Agriscience Instructor at Eufaula High School and FFA advisor. “As a teacher and parent of students who have participated over the years, I have found that this competition provides the confidence and skills to be successful in any career choice. The Chevron TRC is a tool for me to continue making a positive impact on the education and lives of my students.”
To enter the Chevron TRC, high school students should meet the following requirements:
- Age: The national competition is open to all high school students in the United States, aged 14 to 18. Participants can enter individually or as part of a team with a maximum of seven (7) members.
- Tractor: Entrants should select a pre-1980 vintage tractor powered by an internal combustion engine in need of restoration; the tractor can be any make or model.
- Selection: Entries are evaluated based on the quality and craftsmanship of the restoration, project documentation, safety procedures, and overall presentation, among other factors.
- Application: Interested participants must submit their entries online through the Chevron TRC website by August 2, 2024.
»Related: Chevron’s tractor restoration competition awards $20K to teens