Richland Students Win State Auto Repair Championship
5 May 1999
Richland Students Win State Auto Repair Championship, AAA Washington AnnouncesBELLEVUE, Wash., May 4 -- A team of two students from Richland High School (in Richland, 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. Ryan Perrault, 18, and Steven Spencer, 18, now advance to the national finals, June 21 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 Dale Hill. 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. "Ryan Perrault and Steven Spencer 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-fashion 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 $49,000 locally and $10 million nationally in scholarships and prizes, and is held to encourage students to pursue rewarding career opportunities in automotive service. Justin Hunsaker, 18, and Joshua Rosas, 18, from Tritech Skills Center, in Kennewick, took second-place honors. Their instructor is Richard Ousse. Brandon Boyer, 18, and Sean Newman, 18, from North Thurston High School, in Lacey, placed third. Their instructor is Brian Stretch. AAA Washington provides a full range of products and benefits, including personal lines insurance, financial, leisure travel, and auto-related services to more than 615,000 members. A not-for-profit services organization, AAA Washington operates 13 offices in central and western Washington. More information about AAA Washington can be found on the Internet at http://www.aaawa.xom. 1999 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Hands-on Winners Washington State FIRST PLACE: Richland High School - Dale Hill Ryan C. Perrault Steven R. Spencer SECOND PLACE: TriTech Skills Center - Richard Ousse Justin A. Hunsaker Joshua R. Rosas THIRD PLACE: North Thurston High School - Brian Stretch Brandon S. Boyer Sean K. Newman FOURTH PLACE: Clark Co. Skill Center - Jim Neiman Derek T. Bain Mike T. Moore FIFTH PLACE: Sedro Woolley High School - Don Bingham Matt L. Mumford Jenny S. Jenkins SIXTH PLACE: Battle Ground High School - Kurt Sitton Jason J. Isham Bruce R. Brock SEVENTH PLACE: Moses Lake High School - Mark Yosting Jared D. Fisher Mathew J. Moberg EIGHTH PLACE: Auburn High School - Fred Donaldson (Instructor) Ryan A. Hoaglin Joe P. McNeil NINTH PLACE: Tahoma High School - Chuck Bernardoni Cory L. Koch Keith A. Hutchinson TENTH PLACE: Yakima Valley VSC - Larry Brookes David J. Yarger Loren A. Ott CONTACT: Janet Ray or Jennifer Harbison of AAA Washington, 800-562-2582