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Contact: Marilynn Fryer
(517) 796-8466
e-mail: FryerMarilynT@jccmi.edu
2/20/06
For immediate release

JCC welcomes high school students for automotive competition

Jackson Community College will welcome more than 80 high school students from Michigan for the SkillsUSA/VICA of Michigan Regional Competition on Thursday, February 23, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the JCC Automotive Services Building.

Career center students from Allegan, Branch, Calhoun, Kent, Van Buren, Jackson and Lenawee counties and Comstock will send their best automotive students to compete in hands-on competition on vehicles. These students will be putting their skills to the test in different areas of expertise from engine performance to diesel engine troubleshooting. The top three finishers in each category -- gold, silver, and bronze -- will earn prizes, and winners move on to the statewide competition. Current JCC auto students assist in the judging and help coordinate events throughout the day, along with instructors Dan Livingston, Chris Kaser and Les Coxon. This is JCC's third year hosting the event.

SkillsUSA is a national organization serving more than 280,000 high school and college students and professional members enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled and service occupations. It helps to prepare high performance worker and emphasizes total quality at work, high work skills, lifelong education and pride in the dignity of work.

MAC Tools along with Performance Automotive Parts Stores has contributed to this event with goodie bags for each participant and prizes for the top three finishers in each category. Tim Stone, owner of Performance Automotive Parts Stores, is a former JCC automotive program graduate and is very supportive of students entering the auto repair industry.