FORT WORTH, Texas — For the second year in a row, Tarrant County College was voted Best School in the Aerospace Maintenance Council 2025 annual competition. The College beat out 45 other academic teams to take the top spot.
Southwest Airlines won the highest honor, the William F. “Bill” O’Brian Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance. Two of the Southwest competitors graduated from TCC.
TCC won Top Academic School in five other categories: PPG Transparencies; PPG Virtual Paint Booth; Moeller Aerospace Click -Loc Challenge; Southwest Airlines & Barfield Systems Acoustic Ultrasound Troubleshooting and Southwest Airlines & The Boeing Company Thrust Reverser Control Fault Troubleshooting and Repair. Fellow Aviation Maintenance Technology student Genevieve Heitzer received a $1,200 scholarship from Chix Fix.
AMT students Jeffery Ting, Ryan Poole, Austen Lloyd, Parker Williams, Stephanie Hughes and Anthony Ortiz composed TCC’s team. Instructors Mike Vitek and Stuart Riley coached it.
“When they announced second place, I thought we might have this, and we did!” Vitek said. “We are very proud and happy.”
Business & Industry Dean Michael Esquivel praised everyone involved.
“The dedication and hard work of our students have truly paid off at the AMC competition. Their outstanding performance not only showcases their talent but the quality of education and support they receive from our faculty.”
TCC Northwest President Zarina Blakenbaker said the win reflects the “exceptional talent, discipline and determination of our Aviation Maintenance Technology students and the unwavering support” of the faculty.
“Earning top honors in six event categories speaks volumes about the caliber of our program and our commitment to excellence in technical education and workforce development,” she said. “I could not be prouder of our students for representing TCC with integrity, skill and professionalism — and for setting the national benchmark for the next generation of aviation leaders.”
Begin Your Career at TCC’s Aircraft Technician School — TCC
Celebrating 60 years of excellence and impact in 2025, Tarrant County College is one of the nation’s largest higher education institutions and boasts the second lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. A comprehensive two-year college with six campuses in Tarrant County and online classes, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees; workforce and economic development programs; technical and skilled trades programs; and customized training for area businesses and corporations.