KENDALLVILLE, Ind. – Just days after graduating high school, 18-year-old Caleb Freed of Kendallville is gearing up to represent Indiana on the national stage at the SkillsUSA National Championships in Atlanta.
Freed earned the honor after clinching the state title in automotive refinishing technology, a competitive event that tests students’ expertise in painting and finishing vehicles—a specialized track within the broader auto collision repair field.
“I wasn’t going to do painting as my career yet. I didn’t know what I was going to do,” Freed said. “But Brett kept pushing me, and I started liking it. Now here I am.”
A New Path Sparked by Paint
Freed’s journey into the world of collision repair began in his junior year at Prairie Heights High School when he joined the Impact Institute’s Auto Body Collision program, led by instructor Brett Helbert. It was there that he discovered a passion for automotive painting.
“Caleb has learned both the auto body and refinishing side of the collision repair industry,” said Helbert. “He’s gravitated toward paint, and that really seems to be his strength.”
Helbert, a longtime instructor at Impact, noted that this will be his first time taking a student to nationals in the refinishing category.
A Spot Earned Through Dedication
SkillsUSA competitions are rigorous and selective, with regional and state contests serving as the proving grounds for students who want to advance.
“We don’t even consider students with poor attendance,” Helbert explained. “It’s a major commitment, and we want students who can go all the way.”
Freed rose to that challenge, impressing judges at both the regional and state levels to earn his ticket to SkillsUSA Nationals, which will take place June 23 in Atlanta.
While the opportunity is a milestone for both Freed and his instructor, the mood heading into nationals is a mix of excitement and nerves.
“A little nervous,” Freed admitted. “Brett’s never taken anyone from the paint side down there, so it’s kinda new for him, kinda new for me. We’re just gonna wing it, see how it goes.”
Looking Ahead
SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit partnership of education and industry, offers a platform for students in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations to compete and showcase their talents. Winners at the national level often secure scholarships, job offers, or industry certifications.
For Freed, the competition marks the beginning of what may become a lifelong career in the auto body field—one he almost didn’t pursue, if not for the mentorship that kept him on track.
