Houston's Barbara Jordan High School Designs Dream Vehicle for Chrysler Group

    HOUSTON, April 18 Teamwork, dedication and imagination
contributed to the triumph of Barbara Jordan High School during the 2001
"Build Your Dream Vehicle" educational challenge in Houston.  The winning
team's concept vehicle, Aquaria earned $3,000, a first place trophy and the
opportunity to compete at the National Finals May 1 at DaimlerChrysler's North
American headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
    Clear Brook High School earned second place receiving a $2,000 cash award.
BT Washington High School was honored with third place and a $1,000 award.
The day-long contest was April 17 at University of Houston-Downtown.
    Chrysler Group launched the "Build Your Dream Vehicle" program in 1994.
The contest challenges high school students to use teamwork and creativity to
conceive, design and present an innovative, environmentally-friendly vehicle
concept.  All entries must include a marketing strategy, financial plan and a
three-dimensional model or drawing of the dream concept.
    Barbara Jordan High School's winning entry Aquaria, touted as
environmentally responsible, is best described as a powerful, luxury sport
sedan.
    As represented in the name, water was an influencing element in the design
of the vehicle.  The theme of their presentation was "Water in Motion, Water
is Power."  An innovative hydroelectric powertrain was one of the winning
aspects of the vehicle.  It produces zero emissions and uses water (a
renewable power source) to create its power.
    The winning team's instructor, Wilfred Stewart, an engineering and CAD
instructor at Barbara Jordan High School said, "Working with highly motivated
students with marketing knowledge contributed to our success.  We are honored
to win this competition and look forward to competing in the National Finals
in May."
    Students and coaches on the three winning teams are:

    Name of High School          Concept Vehicle       Students and Coach
    1st Place - Barbara Jordan   Aquaria               Christopher McDaaniel,
                                                       Luisa Pedroza, Cynthia
                                                       Romano, Adam Uballe,
                                                       Joshua Gilcrease,
                                                       Wilfred Stewart (coach)

    2nd Place - Clear Brook      Spyder                Barret Bailey, Kevin
                                                       Franks, Marshall McGee,
                                                       Jason Silva, Laurence
                                                       Mays (coach)

    3rd Place - BT Washington    Execel                Montreal McMorris, Tony
                                                       Phillips, Pasha
                                                       Javidpour, Bill
                                                       Priciella (coach)

    Road to Victory
    Student teams began working on their "dream" vehicles at the start of the
2000-2001 school year.  In January, Houston-area teams sent their "Build Your
Dream Vehicle" entries to Chrysler Group headquarters for preliminary judging.
As a result, four teams were selected to compete in the Houston regional
finals.
    During the past few weeks, student teams in Miami, Houston, San Diego, Los
Angeles, Washington D.C./Baltimore, Detroit, Atlanta and Chicago have
presented their dream concepts at regional competitions.  First place winners
from each city will advance to the national finals in May.
    For more information about Chrysler Group's "Build Your Dream Vehicle"
program, educators should call 888-839-BYDV (2938), or visit the Web site at
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/bydv