CCIC Students Partner with Industry Leaders in Inaugural Competition

Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC) students recently had the opportunity to collaborate with industry professionals during the inaugural EAS Tire & Auto Professional Technician Skills Competition, a first-of-its-kind event that celebrated technical excellence, teamwork, and career-connected learning.

Hosted at CCIC on September 19–20, the event brought together 24 professional automotive technicians from 21 EAS Tire & Auto locations across Colorado and 20 CCIC student volunteers from the Maintenance & Light Repair (MLR) Pathway taught by Mr. Manley and Mr. Bowlus.

A Collaboration that Drives Learning

The competition was the result of months of planning between CCIC’s automotive faculty and EAS Tire & Auto’s leadership and technical training teams. Together, they designed a two-part competition that included both a written knowledge test and a hands-on skills challenge, assessing technicians’ expertise across diagnostics, repair, and real-world troubleshooting.

“Our students had a front-row seat to what excellence looks like in the industry,” said CCIC instructor Mr. Manley. “They not only supported the competition but also had one-on-one time with professional technicians discussing career paths, apprenticeships, and the realities of working in the field.”

For CCIC students, the event was a powerful demonstration of career-connected learning, providing meaningful exposure to the precision, professionalism, and passion that define the automotive industry.

Student Impact and Industry Engagement

CCIC students in the Automotive Service Technician Pathway played an integral role throughout the weekend, assisting with event setup, station management, and judging components of the competition. They also helped run fan-favorite activities such as the NASCAR Tire Challenge, Spark Plug Race, and Drive Belt Replacement Challenge, designed to engage spectators and highlight automotive problem-solving under pressure.

“It was inspiring to see how much pride the technicians took in their work and how willing they were to share advice with us,” said one CCIC student volunteer. “It made me even more excited about pursuing a career in this field.”

Collaboration Across Pathways

The competition was also a celebration of CCIC’s collaborative, career-connected model, as two pathways came together to make the weekend a success: Automotive Services Technology and Hospitality & Tourism, specifically the Culinary Pathway and the Banquet Team.

Under the direction of Chef David Bochmann and Chef Jason Rice, culinary students prepared and served a full sit-down dinner for all competitors on Friday evening. The meal was entirely student-run, from cooking and plating to table service, with seven student servers and three student cooks leading the charge. The menu featured Chicken Cordon Bleu with Sauce Mornay, Braised Beef Short Ribs with Lemon-Rosemary Gremolata, Olathe Sweet Corn and Basil Risotto, Roasted Mushroom Potatoes, and a variety of desserts including Tiramisu, Key Lime Pie, and Black Cherry Ricotta Cheesecake.

On Saturday, culinary students opened the CCIC Food Truck to serve lunch to competitors, offering freshly prepared meals they cooked and served themselves.

This was also the first event of the school year for the Banquet Team, a group of student workers who help host events across campus. The team, made up almost entirely of new members, rose to the occasion just one day after their orientation. For some, it was their first time working in a professional kitchen, while others returned to mentor their peers. Together, they delivered an exceptional dining experience that reflected professionalism, teamwork, and CCIC pride.

Strengthening Pathways for the Future

Beyond the competition, the partnership between CCIC and EAS Tire & Auto opens the door to expanded shadowing and apprenticeship opportunities for Cherry Creek students across 21 EAS locations.

“Events like this highlight what makes Cherry Creek Innovation Campus unique,” said Steve Day, Principal of Cherry Creek Innovation Campus. “Our students don’t just learn about careers, they experience them firsthand by working alongside experts in the field.”

With support from local industry partners, CCIC continues to provide hands-on learning that prepares students for high-demand, high-skill careers. The inaugural EAS Tire & Auto Skills Competition exemplifies how strong partnerships can inspire the next generation of technicians, innovators, and problem solvers.