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St. Clair Auto Techs Win in Ford/AAA Contest

13 May 1999

St. Clair Auto Techs Win in Ford/AAA Contest

    DEARBORN, Mich., May 13 -- Two St. Clair Technical Education
Center students took first place in the annual Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills
National Quality Care Challenge today at AAA Michigan's Dearborn
Administrative Offices.
    Christopher Miotke of St. Clair and Glen Whitenight, from Casco, who
attend the center in Port Huron, successfully fixed their deliberately
"bugged" 1999 Ford Escort to beat out nine other student auto technicians
teams from across the state.  The winners successfully diagnosed 11 vehicle
problems and completed repairs in 76 minutes.
    Second place went to Michael Schober of Sand Creek and Arlo VanSickle of
Onsted, both students at the Lenawee Vocational Center in Adrian.  Third place
was won by Brian McDonald of Alpena and Kevin Mock from Ossineke, students at
Alpena High School.  The trophy for the best written test score was won by
Justin Smith and Ronald Brock, both of Oxford, who are students at Oxford High
School.
    The winning students will represent Michigan in the national finals
June 21 in Washington, D.C.
    The contest encourages young people to pursue automotive technology
careers.
    Each participant qualified for the state final by placing among the 10
highest team scores in a written test of judgment and knowledge of mechanics
and electronics during regional testing in February.
    AAA and Ford have teamed to co-sponsor the contest to recognize the
talents of these young professionals.  Nationwide, approximately 6,000
students are expected to compete in this year's Student Auto Skills contest
for millions in scholarships and prizes.