Whiz Kid: Mark Tournier

Mark Tournier is a senior at Springfield Township High School. He is also well ahead of many of his peers when it comes to experience.

Tournier is also a student at the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology () in Willow Grove. He is taking classes in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC).

Tournier’s passion for HVAC was sparked from his work at his uncle’s company, which gave Tournier his first taste of the profession.

“I’ve been working for my uncle the past two summers,” said Tournier. “He owns his own business. It started off as just a part-time job in the summer, but then I started getting really into all of the technical things with HVAC.”

After two years at his uncle’s business, Tournier learned about the opportunity at Eastern and jumped at the chance to enhance his knowledge of HVAC.

Last February, Tournier competed in the . He was required to do a host of technical work ,which included detecting refrigerant leaks and reading compressors. 

Despite not finishing on top in the competition, it was another step forward for Tournier.

“That was a good learning experience, even though I didn’t finish in the top three,” Tournier said. “I learned a lot during that contest.”

Tournier has received a partial scholarship to the CHI Institute in Broomall. He was selected to receive one of the four scholarships available after taking a test in which Tournier scored within the top 10 of the participants.

Tournier believes he already has the type of head start to his career that puts him ahead of much of the competition.

“Most students go to a four-year college,” said Tournier. “Some of them come out and don’t know what they are going to do after that. I’m going to CHI to learn a natural trade. Hopefully after that, I can go straight into a job.”

Tournier credits his family’s support for his success. In addition to his uncle’s help, Tournier has received plenty of positive reinforcement from the rest of his family members.

“It’s been really important,” Tournier said. “They’ve been helping me ever since I started school.  Getting all of these partial scholarships is amazing to them.”

The world of HVAC isn’t the only part of Tournier’s life. He is also a history re-enactor for the Third Pennsylvania Light Infantry. The organization performs Revolutionary War re-enactments across the East Coast.

“It started three years ago,” said Tournier said. “I was at a local event by my house.  I had been going to it since I was 6 years old.  I talked to a couple of guys from the group I’m with now. They basically got me started.”

Even with his busy schedule, Tournier still enjoys being a part of recognizing history.

“It’s pretty awesome,” said Tournier.  “I get to travel up and down the East Coast.  Just to be able to replay the history of America is awesome.”

With a bright future at CHI and a strong start to his career, Tournier is looking forward to what lies ahead.

“I feel well ahead of most people at this point,” Tournier said.