WOODBURY – For the first time in years, Nonnewaug’s mechanics Career Development Event team is headed to nationals. 

Going into the state event in the spring of 2023, the team members were confident in doing well, but they were surprised on how well they actually did — they won.

The Nonnewaug mechanics CDE team is split up in two different teams. There is an A-team that includes Noah Blood, Nathan Hayes, Devon Zapatka, and Noah Zupan, and there’s also a B-team that includes Nasir Stevenson, Josh Spataro, William Martino, and Gerry Ruiz.

The mechanics CDE is one of if not the most diverse and challenging CDE due to the many different events and possibilities involved.

CDEs are used to give students experience in a skill to better their knowledge for future career paths or opportunities.

Zapatka, a senior, knows firsthand what factors into the mechanics CDE. 

“[It includes] welding, electrical, natural resources – which was surveying – [and] a written test which is just written knowledge such as how to operate things correctly or how to measure engine displacement,” Zapatka said. “There was also a listening portion where you listened to the operator and got the information and calculated the power output of the machinery. Lastly, the team event started with quoting parts for a tractor, and the second part of it was troubleshooting a wiring board.” 

There is a slight downside to having two of the winning team members being freshmen: Anyone who wins at the state level and goes to nationals is no longer able to attend any following years as a team member.

There is still hope for the team for the following years according to Blood, a sophomore. 

“Even though they didn’t make it this year, there were a couple members on the second team that personally didn’t do bad,” said Blood. 

This could be the start needed to get the mechanics team rolling to nationals more often.