By LINDA LONG/For the Reporter

Matthew Templin was only 14 years old when he built his first computer.  The senior at the Shelby County School of Technology and Calera High School remembers it well.

“My dad’s friend came over with this cardboard box full of computer parts.  Well, I was needing a new computer, so I just built one.  I enjoyed it so much I figured that’s what I wanted to do,” he recalled.

That event was a predictor of things to come for this young computer guru who is graduating at the top of his Career and Technical class. Since that time, Matthew has built several more computers and is, in fact, still using the model he built from spare parts more than a decade ago.

According to Scott Shaddix, guidance counselor at the School of Technology, Matthew placed silver in the state in head-to-head skills competition in computer maintenance.  He is also professionally certified in computer maintenance and operating systems.

“He is hirable right now,” Shaddix said. “In fact, he could walk into a job opening at almost any company and immediately be an asset.”

But Matthew’s high school career hasn’t been limited strictly to computers.  As class president, the young man showed off his leadership skills by overseeing class operations including event planning and fundraising.

“We’re holding a car show and the money we raise will help pay the way for students to attend the National USA Skills competition,” he said.

Matthew has excelled at the competition, coming in second place in both the regional and state contests in computer maintenance.

“The contest is a blast,” he said. “People come in and mess up the computers.  Whoever can repair the damage first and most accurately is the winner.”

Matthew’s post-graduation plans include attending Jefferson State Community College working toward a degree in computer networking.  He hopes to stay in Shelby County after graduation, but added, “That will depend upon where the jobs are.”