Five contestants of the 2024 J.B. Dewar Tractor Restoration Education Program were selected to compete by Chevron in their National Tractor Restoration Competition, which was held in Indianapolis this year with the awards announced on Thursday, October 24. This year’s finalists include Caleb Terrell, (Templeton) Braden Wheeler (Templeton), Samantha Williams (Atascadero), Reiley Houtz (Paso Robles) and Anthony Ortiz (Paso Robles).
“This year, many students faced unique adversities that challenged both their mechanical and restoration skills,” said J.B. Dewar President Ken Dewar. “We’ve been incredibly humbled and impressed by their work and are thrilled to have these five individuals represent both the Central Coast on the national stage.”
“This is especially unique for our Tractor Restoration Education Program,” added Cindy Bevans, J.B. Dewar’s TREP Coordinator. “All five of our students that applied were selected out of a total of the country’s top twelve, not to mention the only students chosen from California. We couldn’t be prouder!”
J.B. Dewar is now in year 24 of the Tractor Restoration Program. In that time, more than 125 high school-aged students have participated in the program, restoring more than 93 tractors, and earning more than $150,000 in cash rewards. The dollars earned from the competition have gone toward college funds, vocational education and tractor parts.
Each competitor puts in on the average of 400 plus hours of labor into their restoration projects. The physical restoration is only one aspect of the program. The competition is judged on three key components: the restoration, an oral presentation and interview and a written logbook of their restoration journey. The goal is to provide a learning opportunity that will serve kids well – no matter where their futures may take them.
J.B. Dewar is proud of all the contestants and it was announced that Samantha Williams took 3rd place, and the Fan Favorite, Reiley Houtz had over19,000 votes!