Lacey Students Win State Auto Repair Championship, AAA Announces
15 May 2000
Lacey Students Win State Auto Repair Championship, AAA Announces
BELLEVUE, Wash., May 15 A team of two students from North
Thurston High School (in Lacey, Wash.) combined detailed knowledge of
high-tech automotive repair and fast-paced teamwork to win the Washington
state finals of the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills contest.
Bryan Shiflett, 18, and Richard Turner, 18, now advance to the national
finals, June 19 in Washington, D.C. The students also earned full scholarships
to the Ford Motor Co.'s ASSET (Automotive Student Service Educational
Training) program. The team's instructor is Brian Stretch.
The state championship was determined by the combination of a written
qualifying exam and the team's performance in a hands-on competition to
quickly and accurately repair a deliberately disabled Ford vehicle
"Bryan Shiflett and Richard Turner are outstanding representatives of the
next generation of auto service technicians," said Jennifer Harbison, contest
spokesperson. "They have high-tech skills and understand the importance of
old-fashioned hard work and dedication."
The contest calls attention to the need for automotive technicians with
the high-tech skills required to service increasingly advanced automobiles.
Currently, more than 85 percent of the functions on a new vehicle are
computer-controlled and cars are becoming more complex each year.
The Washington contest was one of 50 state competitions being held this
month. The Student Auto Skills contest will award approximately
$78,000 locally and $10 million nationally in scholarships and prizes, and is
held to encourage students to pursue rewarding career opportunities in
automotive service.
Anthony Firch, 18, and Jason Jaeger, 18, from Timberline High School, in
Lacey, took second-place honors. Their instructor is David Livesay.
Corey Mitchell, 18, and Chadwick Haugen, 18, from Bothell High School, in
Bothell, placed third. Their instructor is Doug Angell.
AAA Washington provides more than 632,000 members in western and central
Washington a full range of products and benefits, including full-service
travel agencies and personal lines insurance agencies in each of its
13 service centers; a range of auto-related services; a variety of financial
products, and member discounts on many consumer products and services.
Although its travel and insurance agencies are available to the general
public, AAA members benefit additionally from many special discounts and
exclusive programs. A not-for-profit organization, AAA Washington also assists
travelers through its highway and transportation safety and legislative
advocacy programs. More information about AAA Washington is available on the
company's website at http://www.aaawa.com.
2000 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition
Washington State's Qualifying Teams
FIRST PLACE: SIXTH PLACE:
North Thurston High School WF West High School
Brian Stretch - Instructor Ralph Shultz - Instructor
Bryan Shiflett Michael McKinnell
Richard Turner Brennan John
SECOND PLACE: SEVENTH PLACE:
Timberline High School Moses Lake High School
David Livesay - Instructor Mark Yosting - Instructor
Anthony Firch Andrew Pittman
Jason Jaeger Mark Jurgens
THIRD PLACE: EIGHTH PLACE:
Bothell High School Spokane Skills Center
Douglas Angell - Instructor Dennis Koentop - Instructor
Corey Mitchell Mike Parker
Chadwick Haugen Sergey Moskovkin
FOURTH PLACE: NINTH PLACE:
Clark Co. Skills Center Federal Way High School
Kirk VanGelder - Instructor James McLain - Instructor
Alfredo Santiago James Hilton
Nick Rasmussen Chris Bjergum
FIFTH PLACE: TENTH PLACE:
Auburn High School Sequim High School
Fred Donaldson - Instructor John Hamel - Instructor
Chris Barney Barry Schafer
Adam Drzayich Jake Wiegel
CONTACT: Janet Ray, or Jennifer Harbison of AAA Washington,
800-562-2582.