NIC student wins national Skills USA competition

A North Idaho College student earned the prestigious title of national champion at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference this summer.

Jon Brunko, 20, of Homedale, beat out more than 20 opponents from across the country in the collision repair competition during the June 24 event in Atlanta.

“I thought I was probably fifth or something just based off the competition I was up against,” Brunko said in a Friday news release. “I had seen other people’s work as they competed next to me, and I figured they might have outdone me in a few places. I was really surprised when I heard I got first.”

Brunko didn’t learn about his victory until a few days later. He had to leave the competition early to attend his sister’s wedding, missing the awards ceremony.

“My mom told me to call my instructor saying, ‘He’s got some big news for you,’ and was being all secretive about it,” Brunko said. “I had no idea I finished first place. I figured I placed somewhere but I didn’t think it would be first.”

NIC assistant autobody and paint technology professor Andy Rogge accompanied Brunko on the trip and accepted the award on his behalf.

“I was ecstatic when I found out he won,” Rogge said. “It was great to be down there with our guys and to see someone like Jon win the whole thing, I just couldn’t be prouder.”

Brunko was also joined by classmates Onasis Ocampo Mendoza of Yakima and Koby Garvin Carrasco of Spokane. All three won gold at the Idaho State Leadership and Skills Conference on April 4 in Nampa. Mendoza finished sixth in damage analysis and Carrasco finished ninth in auto refinishing at the national event. Brunko became the second NIC student to win first place in a National SkillsUSA competition. Ashleigh Anderson of Hayden took home a top-place finish in 2021.

“It was a lot of fun, especially since I had classmates to go along with me,” Brunko said. “Going by yourself would be scary. We were able to go together and just compete down there and see all that SkillsUSA had to offer.”

Brunko’s interest in auto repair began in high school when he purchased a 1983 Datsun 280zx and attempted to restore it.

“I wanted to paint it, so I painted it and did some body work,” Brunko said. “After I got it done, I looked at it and thought, ‘I could do way better,’ so at that point I figured I might be going to go to school for this.”

His search led him to the NIC Autobody and Paint Technology program, which caught his attention because it was a one-year program.

“After the first few weeks I could tell that it was a really great program,” Brunko said

Brunko praised the effort of NIC Autobody and Paint Technology associate professor Cal DeHaas and his other professors for preparing him for the competition and giving him the tools to start a successful career.

“I think they really push students to do their best and do it the right way,” Brunko said.

DeHaas said he had high hopes for Brunko going into nationals and thought he’d be a top-five finisher if had a consistent day in the hands-on events.

“He exceeded those expectations in a big way and came home a national champion,” DeHaas said. “He’s the total package. Strong skill sets, solid troubleshooting skills, coachable, humble and is a fierce competitor.”

As for his future, Brunko is taking his time to figure out his next steps in the industry.

“I think I got my resume in check,” Brunko said. “I got a few body shops that after seeing me in the news decided to try to reach out and talk to me.”

And the gold medal? It found a home right away.

“I got it on the top drawer of my toolbox right now,” Brunko said. “Whenever I’m working on something I can see it.”

    From left, North Idaho College students Jon Brunko, Onasis Ocampo Mendoza and Koby Garvin Carrasco pose June 24 for a photo at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta.