Page 18 - On The Move - Volume 16, Issue 3

FORSYTH CENTRAL By J.W. Southwick
HIGH STUDENTS EXCEL at Director of Marketing
& Social Media
NatioNal automotive techNology competitioN MAADA

hen most people think of competition the competition for ten years. During that automobiles of today,” remarked Marlo. His
Wat the high school level, they tend time, the Metro Atlanta Automobile Dealers biggest influence as he grew in the field was
to think of sports like football, basketball, Association has been a proud sponsor of his high school shop teacher, Mr. George
baseball, and soccer. Dig a little deeper Forsyth Central’s efforts. At this year’s Camire. He credits Mr. Camire with saving
and you’ll find debate competitions, band contest, Forsyth Central seniors Mason Allen him from dropping out of school, helping
challenges, and more. But there’s another and Mason Barnett placed third overall in him develop a passion for cars that he
competition that, for high school students the national competition. “It’s exciting and would later turn into a career.
seeking a future in the automotive field, is encouraging to see the skill and enthusiasm
considered to be “the Granddaddy of them from the students at Forsyth Central High,” For high school students evaluating their
all,” and that’s the National Automotive said Shayne Wilson, President of MAADA. career options, Mr. Miranda has some great
Technology Competition. “The instructors, headed by Marlo Miranda, advice. “Remember, there is absolutely
are fully committed to the education of their no replacement for passion. Passion for
Held each year in conjunction with the New students, equipping them for a successful what you are doing will fuel you through
York International Auto Show, the National career in the automotive industry.” Mr. the toughest times, providing you with a
Automotive Technology Competition puts Miranda has guided students through great desire to succeed.” Continuing the
the skills of high school competitors to the their high school automotive training and sentiment, he went on to explain, “You
test. In addition to demonstrating their coached them in the National Automotive don’t have to follow someone else’s dream
knowledge, the students must demonstrate Technology Competition. for your life…you have to follow your own.”
hands-on proficiency in a wide range of
areas, including Engine Management, “Mason Allen and Mason Barnett both To learn more about the National
Vehicle Safety, Chassis/Body/Electrical and exhibited great resolve, despite several Automotive Technology Competition, visit
basic mechanical skills. Time pressure is a setbacks,” said Mr. Miranda. “In the end, www.nationalautotechcompetition.com.
factor in the competition, which presents it was a single, minor mistake that cost
an additional challenge for the competitors. them the championship – it was that
But the hands-on demonstrations are not close.” Mason Allen is currently a technician
the only area in which students are judged. trainee at RBM of Alpharetta, a Mercedes
As part of the effort to properly prepare dealership, where he is pursuing a career
these youngsters to enter the workforce, as a Mercedes Master Technician. Mason
each must also demonstrate job interview Barnett is pursuing a career as both an
skills, something that is absolutely essential automotive engineer and automotive
to landing a job in a very competitive patent attorney.
market.
Mr. Miranda draws his inspiration
For 2019, more than $3 million in prizes and to teach by watching young
scholarships were awarded. All of that is students grow into fine adults,
made possible due to the support of most who become productive,
major auto makers, industry suppliers, local successful members of the
dealerships, and dealer associations across automotive industry. “Most
the country. of all, I love watching
the confidence and
Forsyth Central High School, located in maturity that comes with
Cumming, Georgia, has participated in working on the complex
16 www.maada.com