Adding more tools to his toolbox recently, Alec Schilde is gearing up for the future.

On Jan. 15, Schilde, a junior at Dover High School and the son of Adam and Kelli Schilde, made a trip to Plainview, Texas, to compete against 105 other juniors and seniors from across the country in the 2022 Western Equipment Ag Tech Open Invitational.

He walked away with second place, a $15,000 scholarship and over $4,000 worth of tools and a toolbox.

Entering his first competition in the field of ag mechanics, Schilde said he primarily went “for fun and to see what it was all about.”

“I thought it would be a good experience, but wasn’t expecting to get second place,” he said. “It turned out to be a good deal.”

Working on his family’s John Deere Gator, four-wheeler and other vehicles, Schilde said he learned at an early age what it took to repair and maintain the vehicles he enjoyed driving.

“Probably from the time I was 10 years old if I broke something, my dad told me, ‘If you want to ride it again, you’ve got to fix it,’” Schilde said.“I guess it just stuck with me and I’ve grown more interested in mechanics since then.”

That interest led to Schilde enrolling in the automotive program at Chisholm Trail Technology Center under the instruction of Coty Green.

When Schilde and another CTTC student decided to enter the Western Equipment competition, Green said he used his expe rience in the CareerTech system to help the students prepare for possible competition scenarios.

Although unfamiliar with Western Equipment’s Ag Tech contest format, Green said he set up simulated electrical circuit faults and reviewed wiring diagrams as well as other aspects which might help his students in the John Deere specific mechanical competition.

“Alec came to me asking for help preparing for the contest,” Green said, “and he devoured all the materials and practice I gave him.

“He has done very well at our SkillsUSA automotive hands-on contest and I’m not surprised he did well at the Western Equipment competition.”

Not knowing what to expect at the contest, Schilde said he relied on his training from CTTC and his previous mechanical experience. The content, Schilde said, consisted of five sections including complex thinking, parts identification, tool identification, an electrical section and a written exam.

Of all the sections, Schilde said the electrical was the most challenging.

“They hand you a sheet of paper that shows the schematics of an electrical diagram and it’s confusing at first because there’s so much going on,” he said.

Definitely surprised by winning second place, Schilde said he probably hasn’t realized how much $15,000 actually is, other than his brief “freak-out session” when they called his name.

This year’s competition hosted students from 80 different schools in five different states, Western Equipment Director of Marketing James Boone, said.

The contest is designed to allow students to showcase their skills in mechani zation as well as help them pinpoint their undiscovered abilities and interests. During the competition, students are able to apply mechanical knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills while hearing from and interacting with industry professionals.

Scholarships awarded are applied toward Western Equipment’s Ag Tech two-year program which provides students with hands-on experience, veteran mentorship and a college associate degree laying the foundation for a career working on John Deere equipment.

Students are eligible to enter the competition for scholarships and prizes both their junior and senior year of high school.

With plans to enter next year, Schilde said he wants to try to win the “big toolbox.”

Schilde is also active in the Dover FFA Chapter, holding the office of sentinel as well as competing in meat judging and public speaking.

“Alec is a very hard working student who works very hard in the shop and the classroom,” said Ryan Burns, Dover FFA adviser and ag education instructor.

“He also is a chapter officer and is actively involved in many FFA activities.”

Schilde spends his free time working on his truck and other projects he enjoys, like restoring the floor and upholstery of his family’s boat, he said.

Reflecting on his decision to enter the competition, Schilde said:

“It has opened up a lot of options for me.”