It’s no surprise that at the largest automotive specialty show, in one of the flashiest cities in the US, two brothers from SCTCC came home with big prizes.
Five members of the SCTCC Auto Body SkillsUSA Club and instructor Tyler Kunstleben traveled to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas Nov. 3-6, thanks to the club’s hard work in fundraising efforts like the annual car wash.
SEMA is a credentials-only event that brings together the elite collision repair, restoration, custom, and performance industries. The qualifications to attend as a student are high, which makes attending a rare occurrence for similar colleges.
“Seeing the future of collision repair up close is something our students will carry with them for years,” said Kunstleben. “To our supporters and patrons: thank you. Your generosity directly contributed to a memory these students will never forget.”
The SEMA Show gives its attendees direct access to new technology, latest custom-vehicle trends, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and access to high-level industry professionals.
There are also opportunities to compete.
At the Society of Collision Repair Specialists booth, a three-day VR welding and painting competition offered big prizes for the top three performers: select a technical college to receive donated prize packages.
All students posted impressive scores, showing their SCTCC pride on a national stage. Lucas Kunstleben placed first in refinishing, and brother Tyler Kunstleben nabbed a third-place win in the welding category. Lucas earned a $25,000 prize package for Auto Body, including a lifetime Skillveri VR/MR license, paint simulator, and accessories. Tyler brought back a prize package valued at $9,500 including a Skillveri Fundamentals license and a premium tool kit.
“This is an unbelievable upgrade to our training capabilities,” noted Tyler Kunstleben.
While the group spent most of their time at the SEMA Show, they were also able to explore top-tier restoration projects, meet industry celebrities, and tour the Las Vegas Strip and Fremont Street.
“We are incredibly proud of our students, grateful for the opportunity, and excited for how these new tools will elevate the program going forward,” shared Tyler Kunstleben.