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Show v;" v 1 1 ? ' ;- V V 1 I - - - kh&': 1::;' : ImI ' " BountifuPs Mark Thomas won the national gold medal in the VICA Skill Olympics with the highest point total in the contest's 25-year history. Pictured above, left to right, Ken Jaworski, Snap-on Inc.'s industrial representative who presented Thomas with a number of Snap-on awards including in-cluding a $3,400 dollar tool chest for his efforts in the skill Olympics; Neal Grover, Thomas' advisor ad-visor from SLCC, Thomas and Chuck Spainhower, SLCC Advisor. Paint spot offers colorful ideas sive cars and what the liability in owning my own shop was,' said Thomas. Thomas said his shop specializes in newer cars, and his technicians are schooled in the latest trends and developments in the industry. "I let them choose their own area of specialty said Thomas. "We offer the full spectrum of collision repair. We sit down with people and explain what happened to the car and what needs to happen in order to make the car safe again. "I want people to know this is a clean, honest business. I want them to be satisfied with what they get for their money. In recognition of rThomas' achievements in auto collision" ' repair, Snap-On, a leading manufacturer manufac-turer of tools, awarded Thomas with a $3,400 tool box and other awards. According to Snap-On representative represen-tative Ken Jaworski, Snap-On supports sup-ports VICA by recognizing excellence in secondary and post-secondary post-secondary vocational programs throughout the country. By G. BRETT HART BOUNTIFUL-Many boast a horse of a different color. Mark Thomas goes one step farther, far-ther, he'll give you a car of a different color-or shape if you happen to have a fender-bender or a major auto mishap. Thomas, 27, graduated from Salt Lake City Community College in June with a degree in auto collision repair and painting and is opening his second auto repair shop in Bountiful. Thomas' shop, the Paint Spot, will be located at 75 1 S. 500 W. and will be open Monday through Friday Fri-day from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Saturdays by appointment Although Thomas plans to hold . grand opening ceremonies Oct 1, he is currently open for business. He also owns a small shop in Centerville. In spite of the fact that there are a lot of credible auto collision repair shops around, few can boast such a talented, young owner. Thomas not only repairs and paints cars for a hobby, he does it competitively. In June, Thomas won the gold medal in the national Vocational Clubs of America Skill Olympics competition with the highest point total in its 25-year history. The eight-hour competition in Tulsa, Okla. featured the best contestants con-testants from each state in the nation and tested skills in welding, frame straightening and other aspects of auto collision repair. The competition was judged by industry professionals. Thomas was no stranger to the competition. He won the third place medal last year. i He was also awarded the Utah's Vocational Excellence Award. Thomas said that he wanted to gain an education in a field that otherwise has little educational requirements. re-quirements. "I wanted to learn the latest changes in the industry, how to work with the latest, most expen- |