NEWS RELEASE CONTACT: BETH M. MARTELLOTTA, 978-345-9200 X 5232

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 20, 2007

WITH PHOTO

MONTY TECH CAPTURES FIRST PLACE AT STATE AUTO COMPETITION

FITCHBURG---For the second consecutive year, Monty Tech has captured first place in the Massachusetts State Auto Dealers’ Student Technology State Competition held recently at Massachusetts Bay Community College Automotive Technology Center in Ashland.

Seniors Joshua Cole of Holden and Russell Clark of Leominster and Robert Stockdale, Monty Tech’s veteran Automotive Technology instructor, comprised Monty Tech’s winning team.

The team beat out approximately 600 auto students from across the state to win the title and qualify to represent Massachusetts at the National Automotive Technology Competition’s National Finals to be held in March in New York City. Prizes include $3 million in prizes and scholarship, including two new Chevrolet Cobalts

State-level competitors were required to pass a written exam before moving on to the hands-on portion of the competition. The actual two-day competition consisted working in teams to solve a variety of automotive tasks at workstations and then diagnosing and repairing various automotive problems within an allotted amount of time.

The nationally recognized competition was established in 1990 “to help curb the shortage of qualified automotive technicians and raise the level of vocational-technical standards in the public school system,” according to a press release submitted by the sponsoring organization.

“We are thrilled to win this prestigious event two years in a row, “ said Mr. Stockdale. “Last year, not only did we win the event, but our underclassmen swept the top three slots,” he added. Students competing last year included Russell Clark, one of this year’ winners.

In addition, Jeff Miller of Athol and Kelly Adams of Ashby, members of Monty Tech’s Class of 2007, represented the school at last year’s national competition. Kelly holds the distinction of being the first female in the country to compete at the national level.

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