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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Featured Galleries: May 8, 2007 Automotive scholarship provides a truly full ride Ashland High School senior Dustin May recently received top honors at the state competition for Skills USA held at Linn Benton College in Corvallis. Included in the award was a $23,700 full ride scholarship to Wyoming Tech's automotive program. May's interest in automotive technology began in his junior year at Ashland High School under the tutelage of automotive instructor Mike Titus. During class, Curtis Hancock, service manager of Butler Acura, Hyundai and Suzuki Service Centers, provided Dustin and other students with career guidance in the automotive industry. Later, Mays approached Hancock for a job at Butler. He was hired as a part-time lube technician and received additional training at the dealership. "The goal is for Justin to be completely Acura certified prior to his June graduation. He's at about 93 percent right now," said Hancock. "Dustin started out with online technical training from Acura and has excelled consistently since he first arrived." Hancock often talks to Ashland High juniors and seniors who express an interest in long-term careers in the automotive industry. Hancock is a graduate of Ashland High who 15 years ago attended the same kind of career guidance presentation. "It's amazing to be standing in front of the class and showing the students different career options within the auto industry," said Hancock. "It doesn't seem like that long ago I was the one in the desk and my dad was recruiting with Mr. Titus. The auto industry has been a great business for me and I want to make sure these students know that being in the industry is a viable career path." May first won the first Skills USA regional title in February. The state Skills USA test held April 13 and 14 consisted of a 200-question timed test, laboratory testing with 14 stations and diagnostic testing in which vehicles with critical mechanical problems were diagnosed. "We are very proud of Dustin's recent accomplishments," said Titus. "This is a significant accomplishment for a young man. Now we have to plan for nationals in Kansas City the third week of June and see how he does there. We have high hopes for his success; Dustin is a great, smart and dedicated kid." Ashland High School is a Ford Motor Company ASSET certified school. With this certification, the school participates in sponsored competitions, including the upcoming event on May 10 and 11 in Clackamas. "I really appreciate Mr. Titus and Curtis Hancock supporting me in the way they do," said May. "Because of the training at Butler and what I have learned in class I feel prepared for whatever I choose to do in the future. I took my first front panel off a car at age nine. Who would have thought I would be a state winner in a competition like this by the time I was 18. It's very exciting." Current Comments: Congratulations, Dustin. It's nice to see someone coming out of school actually able to DO something. I'm glad AHS has that program. Best wishes. Joe Camel - Ashland - May 8th, 5:43 PM Your article failed to mention the most ironic portion of the news. AHS is getting rid of all it's vocational courses next semester. So we have all these fantastic teachers and award winning students and the programs are going away?! Whats going to keep these kids in school - or in Ashland School District schools? Manuel - Ashland - May 8th, 10:50 PM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising: Debt Help Inkjet Printers Payday Loans Free Ringtones Debt Consolidation Security Systems Debt Relief New Hampshire Primary Advertisement: Copyright © 2007 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved. Del.icio.us