East Norriton, Pa., March 23, 2011 - The Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation is pleased to announce the results of its 18th Annual Greater Philadelphia Automotive Technology Competition. High School Seniors Jacob Duddy and Andrew Mohn of Berks Career and Technology Center (West) took home first place honors this year. The winning duo was led by Instructor Lewis Davis and sponsored by Tom Masano Ford. At the event, Duddy and Mohn collected more than $250,000 in scholarships and prizes, including an all-expense-paid trip to the National Automotive Technology Competition in New York on April 26th and 27th provided by the Foundation. The team will proudly represent the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia at this nationally-recognized event.
Created in 1994, the purpose of the competition is to build awareness for the important role of auto technicians in today’s workforce and to spotlight their specialized skills and professionalism. The first part of the competition involved a 160-question written exam. Of the approximately 100 students who took the exam, the twenty-four individuals who received the highest marks advanced to the hands-on portion of the competition, which took place on Friday, March 11th, at the Warminster Campus of the Automotive Training Center.
The nearly five-hour, hands-on event tested participating students at nine different workstations, including first-time feature “The Pit Stop Challenge.” At this workstation, participating students had the opportunity to experience the thrill and challenges of real NASCAR-style tire changers. They raced against the clock using the same screaming air gun as the pros. In addition, the students were challenged to perform a Pre-Delivery Inspection on a previously-bugged new vehicle. Upon conclusion of the competition, all of the students were treated to an astounding amount of donated prizes during the event’s awards ceremony where the following honors were also announced.
Led by Instructor Michael Cramer and with the support of Haldeman Ford, Charles Flesch and Nicholas Tucci of Mercer County Technical Schools came in second place and received approximately $190,000 in scholarships and prizes, collectively. Third place was captured by Eric Horner and Zaccari Moore of Gloucester County Institute of Technology. Sponsored by Pellegrino Chevrolet and under the guidance of Instructor Glenn Hubert, Horner and Moore were awarded approximately $110,000 in scholarships and prizes. Other event finalists included:
Berks Career & Technical Center – East
Troy Armstrong
Michael Moll
Instructor: Ronald Leinbach
Sponsor: Steve Moyer Subaru
Bucks County Technical High School
Mike Pallotta
Donald Snively
Instructor: Byron Cesari
Sponsor: McCafferty Ford
Delaware County Technical High School
Patrick Cook
Steve Medaglia
Instructor: Ronald Erle
Sponsor: Springfield Ford
Middle Bucks Institute of Technology
Ryan Campbell
Karl Pohle
Instructor: Paul Ciarlone
Sponsor: Keystone Motors
North Montco Technical Career Center
Joey Josko
Chris Kinner
Instructor: John Alcaro
Sponsor: North Penn Volkswagen
A. Phillip Randolph Career Academy
Khary Afiba
Andrew Smith
Instructor: Michael Young
Sponsor: Pacifico Ford
Reading/Muhlenberg Career & Technology Center
Josh Edwards
Alex Stine
Instructor: Samuel Morraco Jr.
Sponsor: Penske Buick GMC
Swenson Arts & Technology High School
Jeffrey Durkin
John Palo
Instructor: Robert Nelson
Sponsor: Faulkner Mazda
Technical College High School
Brian Burns
Antonio Ramirez
Instructor: John Dowling
Sponsor: David Dodge RAM Chrysler Jeep
The Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation extends its gratitude to all of the organizations and companies that donated prizes and/or scholarships to the participants of this unique event including the following educational sponsors: Automotive Training Center, Camden County College, Lincoln Technical Institute, Ohio Technical College and Universal Technical Institute.