Cerritos College News Releases -- February 2008

Photo of Agoura High School students and the advisor with the 1st place banner NORWALK, CA – February 8, 2008 – Cerritos College's Automotive Technology Department hosted a High School Auto Tech Competition on Saturday, January 26. This event was sponsored by the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association (SMCDA) and the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association (GLANCDA).

Teams from Agoura High School and California High School distinguished themselves from among 11 other area high school teams, each winning an opportunity to send two teammates to compete in the 2008 National Automotive Technology Competition. This Final Competition will be held at the New York International Automobile Show on March 25-26. GLANCDA and SMCDA will each sponsor Agoura HS and California HS respectively, as representing each of the associations’ regions.

The winning Agoura HS team was comprised of students John “JD” Theodosiou and Brandon Patterson, along with their advisor John Andersen. From California HS were students Gabriel Ulloa and Jason Scatamacchia with their advisor Bill Buttinelli.

"We're excited to have such a talented group of students," said Todd Leutheuser, executive director of SMCDA, “and we're proud to support their success."

“I hope these students would consider this as a great opportunity to demonstrate their skills to the industry professionals.”

GLANCDA Executive Director Charlie Gill agreed. "Our ultimate goal for supporting this program is to provide potential job opportunities with our member dealerships for the motivated student experts."

During the competition, student teams exhibited their auto technology skills by testing, diagnosing, and reporting results in categories such as automatic transmission, fuel injection and emission, heating and air conditioning, brakes, basic electrical, tools and measurements.

Photo of California High School students and the advisor with the 2nd place banner “I think it’s a great activity,” said Steve Berklite, Chair of Cerritos College's Automotive Technology program. “We appreciate the opportunity to host such a great competition.”

Schools that participated in the competition were Agoura, Canyon, Highland, Monrovia, North Hollywood, Palmdale, Van Nuys, Artesia, California, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Narbonne, and the Southeast Regional Occupational Program.

Cerritos College has offered automotive training technology since the college began in 1955. The offerings consist of certificates degrees and special programs in the disciplines of automotive repair, advanced transportation technology, auto collision repair, intelligent transportation systems and alternative fuel and EV hybrid vehicles, making it one of the most comprehensive programs in the U.S. Students can also earn a bachelor’s degree in automotive management at Cerritos College through an agreement the college has with Northwood University.

Cerritos College’s Auto Technology Program provides students with hands-on, nationally authorized training for GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler and import vehicles. The College also hosts an Advanced Transportation Technology Center, one of nine Centers in the state of California, to encourage use and development of clean, renewable energies, and alternative fuel sources.

Perhaps most noteworthy, Cerritos College is located just blocks from the world’s largest auto mall where it partners with dealers to train and employ technicians and dealership managers. The greater Los Angeles area is home to more than 17 corporate support centers for the robust Southern California auto industry. It is also home to a number of design centers producing vehicle prototypes for future sales. Automotive-industry management opportunities routinely require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, available at Cerritos College.

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 200 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently nears 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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Cerritos College

Releases 2008