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Mitsubishi Awards Scholarships to Auto Technology Students

8 May 2000

Mitsubishi Motors Awards Scholarships to Auto Technology Students; Texas Students Take Top Honors in National Automotive Technology Competition

    NEW YORK, May 8 In a competitive test of automotive
knowledge and troubleshooting skills, two North Lamar High School students
rose to the technological challenge by winning the national competition
finals.  In addition to other awards, the winning high school was awarded a
$5,000 "Vocational/Technical School of the Year" scholarship from Mitsubishi
Motor Sales of America, Inc. (MMSA).  The first place team of Rusty Brown and
Travis King prepared for several months for the competition under the
direction of Dean "Bo" Bolton, instructor for North Lamar High School, located
in Paris, TX.
    In addition, MMSA also sponsors the Christopher M. Kalies Scholarship,
created in the memory of the 1997 competition champion who lost his life in a
tragic snowmobiling accident.  Based on nominations from the contestants'
instructors, the scholarship is annually awarded to the contestant who
exemplifies the many wonderful qualities that Chris possessed.  This year's
Christopher M. Kalies Scholarship winner was Chris Neffke of the Kenton Career
Center in Tonawanda, NY.
    The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) National
Automotive Technology Competition is an automotive challenge which allows
students to apply their automotive expertise to inspect, repair and record a
sequence of "bugs" on a vehicle.  Numerous regional events were held
throughout the United States, with the winning two-member teams competing in
the Apr. 26 national finals-an event showcased at the New York International
Automobile Show.
    "There is a definite need for qualified automotive technicians," said
Stephanie Keefe, MMSA corporate relations specialist.  "This automotive
technology competition is part of a prestigious nationwide program teaching
students marketable skills, as well as providing opportunities for auto
technicians of the new millennium."
    To qualify for the competition, students took a written test challenging
their automotive knowledge.  Two-person teams paired up to work on a vehicle
provided by an automotive sponsor.  A panel of judges determined how well the
teams diagnosed and resolved each diagnostic problem and if they properly
recorded the solution.  In the event of a tie, judges refer to the written
test scores.
    This automotive technology competition program is just one of the ways
Mitsubishi Motors demonstrates its commitment to the President's Summit for
America's Future, also know as America's Promise.  As one of 120 companies,
and the only automotive company chosen to participate in America's Promise,
Mitsubishi Motors has pledged to reach a half million youth by providing
marketable skills through various programs by the year 2001.
    Mitsubishi Motors has sponsored automotive technology competitions since
1992, encouraging students to earn a higher education by awarding the
competition prizes in scholarship form.  To date, MMSA's efforts include
annual sponsorship of four regional competitions and the national competition
in New York; scholarships for students to use toward their education; vehicles
and various vehicle parts donated to automotive technology programs; and
contributions to vocational/tech programs awarded first place in national
finals.