BV hopes third time will be the charm

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Bureau Valley High School students Dustin Vainowski (from left), Richard Brummel, Tyler Kennedy and Kody Thomas display the 1946 John Deere A tractor renovated by students during the 2008-09 school year. The tractor is a finalist in the National Chevron Delo Tractor Restoration Competition, and the restoration video has been posted on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/TRCAdmin%20#play/uploads/19/RSXAMxKkwW4 . (BCR file photo)

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MANLIUS — For the third consecutive year, the Bureau Valley FFA will be heading to Indianapolis to vie for the national title in the Chevron Delo Tractor Restoration Competition.

For several years, the students of Bureau Valley High School’s FFA Chapter have been renovating old tractors, and now, for the third year in a row, the group will be heading off for the national competition, which will take place during the 82nd National FFA Convention, held in Indianapolis, from Oct. 21-24.

BVHS teacher and FFA sponsor Willard Mott said this year Bureau Valley is one out of 12 schools selected to be a national finalist. Eight of the contestants are from Texas, and Bureau Valley is the only school selected from Illinois. The FFA members have restored and are competing with a 1946 John Deere A. The tractor is a local tractor originally coming from Princeton and was donated by Delores Teske from Manlius.

All entrants to the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition are required to submit a workbook detailing the entire tractor restoration process, from mechanical overhauls of the engine, transmission and auxiliary and ancillary systems, to the external appearance of the tractors.

The 2009 entries were narrowed down to 12 finalists. These finalists are invited to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis to present their projects to a panel of five professional tractor restorers. Projects will be graded on restoration process, results and documentation, as well as oral presentation and safety precautions.

“What these kids have accomplished is quite outstanding,” said Julian Cran, marketing manager, Chevron Global Lubricants. “It’s something their family, friends and community should be very proud of. They have restored a bit of American history and at the same time developed valuable skills they can use later in life. The Delo Tractor Restoration Competition is an event that Chevron is very proud to be part of.”

The following prizes will be awarded:

• Champion, $5,000

• Reserve champion, $3,000

• Third place, $2,000

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