Students receiving the awards were: Elizabeth Arias, Lizette Arias, John Barrows, Ben Beivides, Jose Cuenca, Guillermo Diaz, Nate Haugh, Jared Hindman, Alex Lopez, Alex Macias, Desiree Martinez, Andrew Rhee, Danny Rojas, Ashley Royster, Bryan Ruiz, Heather Shaprio, Johnny Santiago, and Armando Solis.

Now that the students are finished with their classes as high school students, they have the opportunity to apply and join the Import Technician Training Program (ITTP) or the Ford, Chrysler or General Motors corporate programs offered at Cerritos College.

"We encourage these students to pursue a future at Cerritos College," said Todd Leutheuser, executive director at SMCDA.

"Dealers in our association are always eager to hire Cerritos College Auto Technology students through work-study programs, and program graduates are highly sought as full-time employees. The students in this program receive excellent training. When they finish the program, they are by far more prepared and ready for the challenge of working at a dealership."

The student awards are actually worth $500 because MATCO provides Cerritos College students--who purchase tools to use in their classes--with a 50 percent discount on purchases.

The Southland Motor Car Dealers Association represents franchised new car dealers throughout Southern Los Angeles County.

Cerritos College has offered automotive technology training since the college began in 1955. Nearly 1,000 students annually seek certificate degrees and special programs in the disciplines of automotive repair, advanced transportation technologies, auto collision repair, intelligent transportation systems and alternative fuel and hybrids, making it one of the most comprehensive programs in the United States.

The program provides students with hands-on, nationally authorized training for GM, Ford, Chrysler and import vehicles, and operates a California Advanced Transportation Technology Center partially subsidized by the state to encourage development of alternative fuel sources. Funding through the California Community College's Economic and Workforce Development program and the state's SB 70 "Quick Start" Grants have assisted greatly in the continued expansion of program offerings at Cerritos College including opportunities for high school students to receive such training in their junior and senior years. SB 70 funding for career training was approved by the state legislature and supported by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college's district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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