Resident Among The State’s Top Automotive Technology Students

Sandy Hook resident Steven Braun will be among 20 of Connecticut’s best high school auto technology students looking to jumpstart their careers in the automotive repair industry when they compete in the State Finals of the Ford/AAA Student Annual Auto Skills Competition next week.

The contest, which showcases the auto repair talents and skills of students from ten technical high schools, will take place Thursday, May 12, at 9:30 am at the Gateway Community College Campus, Bassett Road, North Haven

Ten two-student teams will match their skills in a fast-paced, high-tech auto repair showdown where they will race against each other and the clock to diagnose and repair 2012 Ford Mustang vehicles that have deliberately been “bugged” by AAA, Ford, and state education officials. After properly diagnosing and repairing the cars, the teammates must drive their assigned vehicle across the finish line where the car will be inspected for accuracy and workmanship.

At stake are thousands of dollars in scholarships, prizes and an all-expense paid trip for the winning team and instructor to Dearborn, Mich., at the National Finals June 12.

The state contest is sponsored by Ford Motor Company, AAA Southern New England, the Connecticut State Department of Education, Hertz, and Gateway Community College.

Steven, a student at Henry Abbott Technical High School, will compete with Darwin Grajales of Danbury. Their overseeing instructor is Mark Langlais.