Brighton High School Students Excel at SkillsUSA Automotive Competitions

The BAS Board Meeting held on April 28, 2025, featured a significant recognition of student achievements in automotive technology from Brighton High School. The meeting began with Rob Delaney, the automotive instructor, introducing a group of students who excelled in recent competitions.

Delaney highlighted the accomplishments of seven students who participated in the SkillsUSA 2 West Regional Automotive Technology competitions at Washtenaw Community College on February 21. This event included 210 competitors across three segments: maintenance and light repair, master technician, and automotive electrical. Notably, Brighton High School students secured impressive placements, with finishes of second and fourth in the Master Tech competition and third in the automotive electrical competition. Delaney emphasized that Brighton was the only school in the region to have multiple students place in the top four of any segment.

The preparation for these competitions involved collaboration between the BHS automotive program, local business partners, and advisory committee members, with special recognition given to Mr. Conley for his contributions. The top three students from each segment earned the chance to compete at the state level in Grand Rapids.

During the state competition, which took place on April 11, two Brighton students participated. Delaney described the experience as humbling and noted the extensive scope of the event, which included thousands of young professionals from various skilled trades.

He congratulated Eric House for his fourth place finish in the master technician competition, Joe Mertes for third in the electrical competition, and Evan Penner for second in the master tech competition at the regional level. Mertes, a junior, also achieved a sixth place finish overall in the state electrical technician competition.

The meeting concluded with a celebration of these students' hard work and dedication, showcasing the strength of the automotive program at Brighton High School and its impact on students' futures in skilled trades.