Five OCM BOCES Students Recognized by Syracuse Auto Dealers Association

Each year, the Syracuse Automotive Dealers Association (SADA) presents seven awards for excellence to local Career and Technical Education students exploring the fields of automotive technology and automotive collision technology. The students, from OCM BOCES, Central Tech Vocational Center and the Johnson Center, are selected by their classroom teachers on criteria such as classroom attendance, participation, technology, math and science skills, attitude, capacity to diagnose issues and ability to work with others.

The association has been presenting the awards for 16 years, with the concept developed by Lew Goodman, the now deceased, president of a Chrysler dealership in Syracuse. Barbara Rothschild, Executive Vice-President of the SADA said of the awards “With an ever increasing need for skilled technicians, we believe that this is an opportunity for the auto dealers to meet prospective auto body and auto technicians. Over the years, many [of the students] have become employees of our dealerships.”

This year’s SADA awards were presented at a luncheon ceremony at OCM BOCES on Wednesday, June 1, 2011. The awards were presented by SADA President, Bruce Rapp, along with Jim Barr of Crest Cadillac/Acura and Mark Weaver of Drivers Village. Referring to the field of automotive technology, President Rapp said, “It is one of the most important aspects of our business. [It is the good work of] the service and body shops [that] brings customers back. I am thrilled to honor these young men today.”

The 2011 SADA award winners from OCM BOCES were:
Joseph Bugacki, an auto technology senior from the Jamesville-Dewitt CSD
Max Ford, an auto technology senior from the North Syracuse CSD
Chase Lee, and auto collision technology senior from the Cortland City SD
Derrick Mitchell, an auto collision technology senior from the Fayetteville-Manlius CSD
Justin Rowley, an auto technology senior from the McGraw CSD (pictured above receiving his award from SADA President Bruce Rapp)

For more information about the OCM BOCES Automotive Technology, Automotive Collision Technology or other Career and Technical Education Programs, contact Robert Leslie, Director of Career, Technical and Adult Education at 315/431-8407.