Dynamic Duo-Two students place sixth in national automotive competition

Eight months of hard work paid off for two Thomas A. Edison High School seniors who placed sixth out of 37 in the 2006 National Automotive Technology Competition.
Harrison Kwok and Alex Bueno began preparing for the three-round competition back in September, spending many late nights at the Jamaica school. The two had to take a written exam along with using their training to do troubleshooting on actual cars.
“They’re judged on their ability to diagnose a problem, their ability to approach the situation in a professional manner, how to read and follow a flow chart to find a problem and, most importantly of all, how they document what they learn,” said Thomas Edison teacher James Massa.
The first part of the competition was city-wide and took place in January. Kwok and Bueno’s first-place finish earned them a spot in the state-wide second round, which happened in February. Once again, the two won and were sent to the national competition that was held in April at the Jacob Javits Convention Center as part of the International Automotive Show.
“It was a long process but it was fun,” Kwok said of the work they put in. “We had a lot of fun doing it. If we could do it all over again, we’d do it.”
“We’re two different kids but when it comes down to automotives, I think we meet at a point,” Bueno said. “Together we work as a great team and (have) good friendship.”
According to Assistant Principal for Auto & Building Trades Jack Flaherty, it is the time that Kwok and Bueno put in that made the difference.
“Having the talent and the smarts and the knowledge is one thing,” he said. “There were some nights I’d go home at six o’clock, seven o’clock and they’d still be down there [in the garage] working. I think that really probably separated them from many of the other students.”
In preparation for the competition, Massa said that Rallye Lexus of Glen Cove was a huge help. They lent a car to the students to use to get familiar with it and even trained with Kwok and Bueno.
Because of their hard work, Rallye Lexus has offered both seniors a job.
“That’s something that just doesn’t happen,” Massa said.
Part of the prize also included scholarship money.
“Nine months ago we were just two students at Thomas Edison High School,” said Bueno, who lives in Woodhaven. “Now, the opportunities that we have are big.”
Kwok and Bueno said that their teachers and administrators at the school were huge supporters, also putting in extra hours to help the two succeed.
Following graduation, both plan on continuing their education as well as gaining more hands-on experience. They said that not winning first place will only motivate them in the future.
“Now, I know there’s someone out there who’s better than me so I’ll always want to learn more and be the best,” said Kwok, who lives in Fresh Meadows.