Top Auto Technology Students Compete in State Finals at 2001 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Contest
LOS ANGELES--May 10, 2001--Southern and central California high schools' best auto technology students will compete in the Southern California state finals of the 2001 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition at 10 a.m. Friday, May 11.The contest takes place at Fontana's California Speedway where students will repair deliberately "bugged" Ford Mustangs to demonstrate skills required to succeed as automotive technicians -- still one of the nation's most in-demand and highest paying careers.
Fifteen student teams -- 30 teens in all -- are set to compete in the annual contest. Ramona High School in San Diego County, and San Luis Obispo High each are sending two teams. The Agoura High student team has a female contestant. Last year, San Luis Obispo High's team finished fourth in the national finals held in Washington, D.C.
"Good automotive technicians write their own tickets in the current job market," said Rick Lalor, manager of the Auto Club's "Road to the Future" education program. "The demand for qualified auto technicians exceeds the supply by 60,000. Today's high-tech cars require `techs' with exceptionally strong computer, electronics and math skills."
To qualify for the contest, the Southern California finalists passed a two-hour written exam testing automotive diagnostics and repair knowledge against a field of 40 local teams. A separate contest is held for Northern California schools.
The California team with the highest combined written exam and hand-on contest score will compete nationally on June 18 in Washington, D.C. At the national event, students representing their state compete for $10 million in scholarships.
Southern California's winners receive automotive equipment for their school. State champions also earn a scholarship to the Ford ASSET (Automotive Student Service Education Training) program -- a path to earn two-year associate degrees in automotive service as well as other scholarship opportunities.
Many graduates go on to become technicians at Ford and LincolnMercury dealerships, and some progress to management positions.
Those with two-year degrees will be able to earn a starting salary of $35,000 annually, with possible salary growth up to $75,000 or more. Southern California finalists are:
High School Students Instructor
Agoura Erik Ortiz, 18 John Andersen
Ventura County Kristen Cordell, 18
Bishop Union High George Hitchborn, 18 Gregg Newcomb
Inyo County Clint Brown, 18
Don Bosco Tech Institute Gregory Travis, 18 Ronald Hack
Rosemead/L.A. County John Chidley, 17
Jurupa Valley (Mira Loma) William Marshall, 18 Donn Cushing
Riverside County Dennis Balough, 18
Lompoc Tom Mustain, 18 Tony Bauer
Santa Barbara County Ian Keele, 18
Monte Vista Ian Cawthon, 17 William Hammack
San Diego County Joel Sambrano, 17
Morro Bay Brandt Haener, 17 Gary Villa
San Luis Obispo County Andrew Fabbro, 17
Poway Eric Pedroza, 17 Kenneth Faverty
San Diego County Richard Oakley, 17
Ramona High Team A Toby Wilson, 17 Michael Jordan
San Diego County Jonathan Walter, 17
Ramona Team B Edmund Kapelczak, 17 Michael Saavedra
Paul Manley, 18
San Clemente High Alex Lamar, 18 Robert McCarroll
Orange County Matthew Ellis, 17
San Luis Obispo Team A Vincent Priolo, 18 Gary Hamilton
San Luis Obispo County Alex Porter, 17
San Luis Obispo Team B Land Grether, 17 Jeff Lehmkuhl
San Luis Obispo County Zachary Spaulding, 17
Sultana Angel Llerenas, 18 Jay Winters
San Bernardino County Ryan Leis, 18
Victor Valley Senior Brian Martinez, 18 George Root
San Bernardino County Norton Christopher, 18
In addition to participating in the competition, finalists will hear top NHRA Funny Car driver Gary Densham speak at a recognition banquet. Densham serves as a spokesman for the Auto Club's education outreach program.
Onsite/telephone interviews of students or organizers are available prior to 9:45 a.m. and as contestants finish contest.