CONTACT: JIM MORRIS |
Vol. 43, No. 42
May 28, 2009
Ozarks Tech Team Wins State Auto Skills Contest
Two students from Ozarks Technical Community College, Springfield, recently took first place in Missouri’s division of the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Quality Care Challenge. The competition was held May 7 at the Kansas Speedway.
Tyler Jemes and Ellis Lutz competed against nine other two-person teams from across the state in the hands-on automotive repair contest. They repaired a “bugged” 2009 Ford in 46 minutes and 33 seconds, focusing on problems such as the ignition, lights and windows. Jemes attends Nixa High School. Lutz attends Central High School, in Springfield.
As winners of the statewide contest, Jemes and Lutz will each be awarded a scholarship from their choice of four technical colleges. Each scholarship is worth between $5,000 and $10,000. In addition, the two auto technology students are eligible to receive a two-year scholarship to participate in Ford’s ASSET program, which includes a six-month paid apprenticeship with a Ford dealership and a scholarship to earn Ford certification at an ASSET-certified community college.
The OTC team also will receive an expense-paid trip to represent Missouri in the national finals, June 14-16, at Ford’s World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., where they will compete against 49 other state teams.
The competition was sponsored by AAA, Ford and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.