Local students named finalists in Chevron tractor competition

– Five students from local high schools are among the finalists in Chevron’s national Tractor Restoration Competition, which challenges high school students across the country to restore vintage tractors. The finalists represent nearly half of the top 12 competitors, highlighting the talent from the Central Coast.

Reiley Houtz from Paso Robles High School restored a 1945 International Farmall M. Anthony Ortiz, a student at Liberty High School in Paso Robles, restored a 1950 John Deere Model A. Caleb Terrell from Templeton High School restored a 1949 Farmall Cub, and fellow Templeton student Braden Wheeler restored a 1947 Allis Chalmers B. Samantha Williams, from Heartland Charter School in Atascadero, restored a 1948 Ford 8N.

Chevron Products Company, a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc., announced the finalists on Sept. 18. The 27th Annual Chevron Tractor Restoration Competition encourages students to engage in STEM-based learning through hands-on projects. The 12 finalists, aged 15 to 19, collectively spent 7,307 hours restoring their tractors.

“Watching students breathe new life into these iconic machines is something that the entire organization looks forward to every year,” said Walt Collier, Chevron’s Americas commercial sector manager. “These pieces of agricultural machinery have helped shape and feed our country, and instead of rusting behind the barn, these 1940s through 1980s tractors will inspire future generations for years to come.”

Finalist presentations will take place in Indianapolis on Oct. 23-24, during the 2024 FFA National Expo. Winners will be awarded over $20,000 in prizes. The public can vote for their favorite restoration project through Oct. 11 at https://chevrontrcvoting.com/voting.