From Nitro-X Camper to College Student: Coleton’s Path to SCTCC Auto Body Program

Coleton, a Milaca native, was first introduced to the world of automotive work by his uncle Byron, a former St. Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC) Automotive instructor who ran the Nitro-X Summer Camp. When Coleton was just a fifth-grader, his uncle invited him and some friends to the camp, sparking what would become a lifelong interest in automotive work.

“One of the most memorable things was blowing up an airbag!” Coleton recalls. “We painted the body of an RC car, too, which was really cool.” Those experiences stuck with Coleton, giving him a hands-on introduction to the possibilities in transportation. Learning about the power of an airbag in action and getting a taste of bodywork left a lasting impression.

At camp, he developed practical skills, from painting to tinkering with RC cars—experiences he couldn’t get anywhere else at that age. “We even rolled wheels and tires as a competition,” Coleton laughs. The hands-on teamwork at camp prepared him for college, where, he says, “It’s similar now, working with people at all skill levels and learning to be patient and helpful.”

Coleton’s uncle Byron, now a shop owner, continued to mentor him over the years. Coleton worked in his shop during high school, which fueled his automotive interests even more. “My uncle was really the main reason I got into this,” he shares. “Working with him, just doing little things here and there, helped me see what it was all about.”

It was his sophomore year in high school when Coleton realized auto body work was his path. “You hear a lot about automotive and heavy diesel, but not as much about auto body,” he explains. Touring different colleges, including SCTCC, showed him what a career in this side of transportation could look like—and it hooked him.

Nitro-X opened his eyes to all the areas within the transportation industry, helping him understand the range of careers that are out there. “The camp explored all three areas—automotive, auto body, and even big trucks,” he says. “Taking those tours and seeing what people do in the industry gave me a sense of what’s possible.”

When it came time to choose a college, SCTCC was an easy decision for Coleton. “St. Cloud was always number one for auto body because it’s close to home and familiar since I spent time there at camp,” he says. Thanks to Nitro-X and the guidance of mentors like his uncle, Coleton is now on his way to a career in transportation.

Photos from Coleton’s time at camp

About Nitro-X

Nitro-X camps are designed for middle or high school students and are hosted by Minnesota State Colleges and Minnesota High Schools. This camp offers students the opportunity to explore careers in transportation through hands-on activities with radio controlled (RC) cars. This includes learning about how vehicles work, building their confidence with technical skills, working in teams to develop life and employability skills, gaining exposure to industry and showing off their RC skills with a race.

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