Agoura's auto class goes the extra mile
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

MECHANICALLY MINDED- Agoura High School Auto Shop teacher John Andersen, left, and students J.D. Theodosiou, right, and Brandon Patterson examine the engine of a Ford Mustang in the school's body shop. The students won the Los Angeles County Automotive Technology Competition for high school seniors, competing against 50 schools. They will move on to the national competition next month in New York. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers

For the second year in a row, Agoura High School finished first in the Greater Los Angeles County Automotive Technology Competition for high school seniors, beating out 50 other schools in a race to the national championship.

The competition was Jan. 26 at Cerritos College.

Auto shop teacher John Andersen said two of his students, John Theodsiou and Brandon Patterson, will travel to New York City in March to compete for the national title.

"I'm really happy for them," Andersen said.

Of the six Agoura students who competed, Theodsiou and Patterson did the best on the written and hands-on testing.

"It was pretty difficult," Andersen said.

Only 14 of the 50 L.A. County schools were chosen to participate in the handson portion of the competition in which students were tested on their ability to fix cars at eight different work stations. The students were tested on brakes, suspension, steering, fuel injection, automatic transmission, air conditioning, engine operation and other mechanical issues.

Theodsiou and Patterson tied for first with students from another school, but won the overall crown based on their superior written scores, Andersen said.

The win brought prizes for both the students and the school. Andersen will receive a Lexus or Toyota for use in his shop class, as well as an engine and transmission for student tinkering.

Theodsiou, who scored highest on the written competition, won a $2,000 scholarship from BMW. He's also trying for a full scholarship to the UniversalTechnical Institute to learn how to work on hot rods, motorcycles, luxury cars and other vehicles. Another prize still in the offing is a $10,000 Snap-on tools package.

In addition to finishing up his senior year at Agoura High, Theodsiou works at a local hardware store to help save money for a car.

"My life just got a lot busier," Theodsiou said regarding his recent win and the upcoming trip to New York.

Patterson, too, can taste victory. "I think it's awesome," he said.

Patterson also wants to attend technical training school and plans to focus on car design or engineering.

He said the Agoura High program has left him well prepared.

"It's a great class," said Patterson, who attributed his success to teacher John Andersen. "He's really getting us ready for this thing."

This is the second time Andersen's class will compete for the national title.

Principal Larry Misel said Agoura's auto shop program demonstrates the school's ability to satisfy a diversity of student interests.

"I just cannot be more proud of these accomplishments because Agoura is known for its academic achievements, but we are so fortunate to offer opportunities to all kids," Misel said. "I'm so proud of the fact that is program is going to get the attention it so truly deserves."

Misel said modern auto classes are a mixture of academics and hands-on training. Students must have an intricate understanding of computers, math and other systems to launch a successful career in the automotive industry.

"There's much more of an academic approach than it has ever been," Misel said. "It's the future."