ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 29, 2009 -- In a showdown of the nation’s top high school automotive technology students, Andrew Matthys and Mike Palladino, representing Wayne Technical & Career Center in Williamson, N.Y., placed sixth out of 50 teams at the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Finals.

Instructed by Chet Kuhn, Matthys, 17, of Sodus and Palladino, 18, of Savannah, needed to repair the air conditioning blower, power windows and mirrors and interior and exterior lights as well as properly diagnose and repair problems to the starter motor and air flow sensor in a timed, “hands-on” repair competition.

More than 9,700 high school juniors and seniors competed in this year’s competition and a record-high $10.7 million in scholarships were awarded. Following an online exam, the highest-scorers advanced to their states’ hands-on competition, with the top teams from each state competing in Dearborn, Mich., at the National Finals. The 50, two-student teams also completed a 100-question written exam as part of the final results.

“Each year, motor vehicles become more advanced, increasing the industry’s need for skilled automotive technicians,” Tom Chestnut, President/CEO of AAA Western and Central New York. “Part of AAA’s commitment to provide motorists with solutions for all their automotive needs includes ensuring they have reliable, quality auto repair options both now and in the future. We congratulate Mike and Andrew on their sixth place finish at the national finals and wish them continued success.”

Each high school that placed in the top-15 of the competition will receive a new Ford Edge, Taurus or Fusion for training purposes in their automotive technology departments. The top-15 teams in the 2009 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Finals were:

1. Minnesota - Faribault High School, Faribault, Minn.
2. Colorado - Doherty High School, Colorado Springs, Colo.
3. Alabama - Albert P Brewer High School, Somerville, Ala.
4. Texas - Birdville Career Center, Halton City, Texas
5. California - San Luis Obispo High School, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
6. New York - Wayne Tech & Career Center, Williamson, N.Y.
7. Kansas - Kaw Area Tech School, Topeka, Kansas
8. Indiana - Pike Central High School, Petersburg, Ind.
9. Arkansas - Jacksonville High School, Jacksonville, Ark.
10. Iowa - West Delaware High School Manchester, Iowa
11. Kentucky - Shelby Co Area Tech Center, Shelbyville, Ky.
12. Wisconsin - Washington Park High School, Racine, Wis.
13. Oklahoma - Eastern Oklahoma Co Tech Center, Choctaw, Okla.
14. Hawaii - Maui High School, Kahului, Hawaii
15. Wyoming - Worland High School, Worland, Wy.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition. For more information on the automotive services provided by AAA Western and Central New York, please visit www.AAA.com/auto.

As Upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA provides nearly 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.