NORTH HOLLYWOOD : Girl, 17, Wins State Auto Technology Competition

A 17-year-old who said she just didn’t want to be helpless when it comes to car repair will represent California in a nationwide competition on automotive technology.

Barbara Duffy, 17, of North Hollywood used a demonstration on the use of spark plugs to win a statewide competition sponsored by the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, a nonprofit organization that promotes vocational education in schools. She will compete in the national competition in Louisville, Ky., on June 21.

“I cannot recall in recent history that we would have a female win in this technical area,” said Deirdre Ransome, state director of VICA. Only about 5% of the participants in VICA are female, she added.