ALBUQUERQUE, NM--(Marketwire - May 2, 2008) -
What: FORD/AAA STUDENT AUTO SKILLS, a fast-paced hands-on contest to
diagnose and repair deliberately "bugged" vehicles.
When: Saturday, May 3, 2008 Competition 10:00 AM (sharp)-11:30 a.m.
Where: CNM Workforce Training Center, 5600 Eagle Rock Ave. NE (north of
Alameda and west of I-25 frontage road)
Who: High school juniors and seniors from around the state enrolled
in high school automotive technology courses.
Why: Prizes and scholarships will be awarded at the state level to
high school students. The winning team will represent New Mexico
at the national finals in Dearborn, Michigan, in June for a
chance to win additional scholarships to further their education
and to be recognized by AAA and Ford as the best student auto
technician in the country.
The winning national team and a chaperone will job shadow David
Ragan's pit crew at Roush Fenway Racing's shop in Concord, N.C.
and then fly with the team to the Sprint Cup race in Joliet,
Ill. the weekend of July 12.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the auto industry will
need 35,000 new technicians every year through 2010. Ford and
AAA have joined together to assure the next generation of well-
trained auto technicians will be there to provide service to the
motoring public.
History: Last year, more than 6,000 high school juniors and seniors in
all 50 states competed in the 2007 competition.
The event also will feature the regional finals for the Ford Ultimate Master Technician Contest that pits Ford's finest mechanics against each other for cash and valuable prizes. The winner will go to the national finals.
2008 Ford / AAA Student Auto Skills
Hands-On Participants List - New Mexico
School Instructor Students
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Artesia High School Steven Barley Orlando Babezuela
Billie Roach
Career Enrichment Center Mark Mulroy William Adams
Dylan Hardy
Dexter High School Eric Gomez Matt Batista
Carlos Cruz
Eldorado High School Peter Pacheco John Meisenheimer
Cale Binspahr
Gadsden High School Armando Carrasco Francisco Segura
Angel Rivera
Highland High School Craig Spreacker Anthony Marquez
Elias Lopez
Magdalena High School Bryan Baca Ryan Milligan
Ryan Sanders
New Mexico Ricky Najera Juan Ornelas
Junior College Derek Rice
San Juan College Tech. Mike Tinski Justan Stuart
Ed. Ctr. Tyray Jensen
Valencia High School Chris Martinez Nicholas Baca
Charles Lee
Contact Information: For Information Contact: Anne O'Ryan 512-925-3710 (cell)