ATC and Yancey Hosts Big Boy Toys Rodeo
 The Altamaha Technical College Heavy Equipment Training Center was full of action last week for the first annual Big Boys Toys Rodeo. ATC, along with Yancey Bros. Co., hosted the event. Local area high school FFA (Future Farmers of America) students, including Americus, Appling County Comprehensive, Bacon County, Charlton County, Jeff Davis, Southeast Bulloch, and Swainsboro High Schools, competed in areas such the Dozer Pole Role, Skid Steer Bowling, and Backhoe Bull’s Eye. “A written safety test was also given to each contestant, as well as having to analyze a starting system problem and identify the major components in a diesel engine. Safety was stressed throughout the events. Many students had never operated a piece of Heavy Equipment and were thrilled to have the opportunity to compete,” commented Instructor Albert Wildes, who coordinated and planned the event.
After the competition the top scorer’s were recognized. First were the students who had the highest score for each individual event. Those included Kyle Smith from Swainsboro HS for Backhoe Bull’s Eye, Kevin Hunnicut from Southeast Bulloch HS for Dozer Pole Role, Derek Carter from Charlton County HS for Skid Steer Bowling, Brett Hatton from Jeff Davis HS for Starting Systems Troubleshoot, and Will Smith from Appling County Comprehensive HS for Basic Machine Operations.
Next, cash prizes were awarded to the overall individual winners and overall team winners. In first place for overall individual winner was Kevin Hunicutt from Southeast Bulloch HS. Kevin received a plaque for the Top CAT Winner and $300. David Dixon from Charlton County HS won second place and took home $200. For third place, and the winner of $100, was Justin Gillian from Americus HS.
Finally, the overall team winners were recognized for the top three highest team scores. In first place was Southeast Bulloch High School who was awarded $300 for their FFA Chapter and $300 to the team members. Americus High School took second place and won $200 for their FFA Chapter and $200 for the team members. Lastly, Americus High School placed third and received $100 for their FFA Chapter and $100 for their team members.
According to Wildes, “This provided an opportunity for students to learn the Heavy equipment program at ATC as well as to learn safety skills that can be applied to whatever career they may choose. We plan to make this an annual event.”
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| Americus High School |
Southeast Bulloch High School |
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| Swainsboro High School |
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Americus, GA
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