Lacey Students Win State Auto Repair Championship, AAA Announces
15 May 2000
Lacey Students Win State Auto Repair Championship, AAA AnnouncesBELLEVUE, 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.