Moses Lake High School students Scott Prickett and George Mindus returned home from Tacoma with one more life option.

Both students competed at the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America's state competition in Tacoma earlier this month. Prickett took first place and Mindus placed second in the power equipment technology category.

As the first place winner, Prickett was awarded a full-ride scholarship to Ohio Technical College and Mindus netted $6,000 towards tuition at the school.

Automotive instruction at MLHS is provided by Big Bend Community College's High School Automotive Program.

"They do a fantastic job out there," said Christine Armstrong, vocational director at MLHS. "They have had a lot of local and state winners. We're extremely lucky to have an automotive program."

Armstrong also commended BBCC for its financial support with the automotive program.

"The college is wonderful, they only charge us back for the instructors and the things we use," Armstrong said. "We couldn't do it without Big Bend."

Automotive instructors Don McMillan and Mark Yosting accompanied Prickett, Mindus and Riley Harshman to the competition.

The contest consisted of a written test, precision measuring, disassembly and reassembly of a 10 horsepower engine (comparable to a lawnmower's engine), tool identification and parts identification, Mindus explained. He has been involved with VICA since his sophomore year.

"It's fun, you learn stuff and it looks good on your resume," Mindus said. "We have a pretty good program for power equipment technology."

Mindus said he still needs to find out how much his $6,000 award covers in tuition before he decides on a college.

Prickett is still unsure if he'll use his full award to OTC. The junior has been in VICA for two years. He said he enjoys the club because there's lots of people with the same interests, the enjoyment of the VICA car show and because of the hands-on experience.

"It's just a fun club," Prickett said.

Even competition was fun. Prickett said it was just like being at home and going through one of his small engine classes.

He credited his advisor, McMillan, for his help over the year.

"He puts everything in a perspective you can understand," Prickett said.

OTC, the college that awarded the scholarships won by Prickett and Mindus, offers programs in auto and diesel technology, master technician, diesel technician, automotive technician, outdoor power equipment, autobody technician, stationary standby generator technician and a combined driver's license class A for for technicians.

The two-year school is located in Cleveland, Ohio.