Mitsubishi Motors Awards Scholarships to Auto Technology Students; Orange Ulster BOCES Takes Top Honors in National High School Automotive Technology Competition

    NEW YORK--April 30, 2001--Mitsubishi Motors recognized the strength of one high school's automotive technology program and the instructor behind it by awarding a $5,000 scholarship to Orange Ulster BOCES Vocational School for winning the 2001 Greater New York National High School Automotive Technology Competition.
    This scholarship rewards the school and the instructor of the winning team for its dedication to the education of its automotive technology students. Team members Derek Bonpietro and Chris Shultz, led by instructor Tony Gualtieri, bested the field of 39 competitors to take top honors.
    "There is a definite need for qualified automotive technicians," said Pierre Gagnon, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America Inc. "This automotive technology competition is part of a prestigious nationwide program that teaches students marketable skills and encourages them to pursue professional careers in the field."
    In addition, Mitsubishi Motors also sponsors the Christopher M. Kalies Scholarship, created in 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 awarded annually to the contestant who exemplifies the many wonderful qualities Kalies possessed. This year's Christopher M. Kalies Scholarship winner was Chris Reno of Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, Mo.
    The Greater New York National Automotive Technology Competition is an automotive challenge that 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 April 18 national finals -- an event showcased at the 2001 New York International Automobile Show.
    Mitsubishi Motors has sponsored automotive technology competitions since 1992, including annual sponsorship of two regional competitions and the national competition in New York; scholarships for students to use toward their secondary education; and donation of vehicles and various vehicle parts to automotive technology programs.
    Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America was established in 1982 by Mitsubishi Motors Corp., Tokyo, and markets a full line of vehicles, including coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles. The Web site address is www.mitsubishicars.com.