2013 Jr. Olympian – Mackenzie Fields

Mackenzie Fields, daughter of Lisa Fields Senior Quality Engineer at AWA, represented her team Michigan Mustangs in the 2013 Jr. Olympic Track & Field games held at Eastern Michigan University the week of July 29. 2013 thru August 3, 2013. Mackenzie qualified for three events; 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash and the 4 X 100 meter relay team for 12yr old girls. There were thousands of kids participating in the Jr. Olympics from all over the United States, so just to qualify to run in the Olympics is a great achievement. Mackenzie represented her team well by placing 11th in the nation for the 200 meter dash and her relay team came away with a 5th place medal. In addition to being a 2013 Jr. Olympian, Mackenzie is also a straight A student at Norup International School in Berkley Michigan.

Miller walks 60 miles for a cure

To start, all you have to say is: "I can do this."

What follows is an experience of a lifetime. Just ask AWA's Rhonda Miller (below, right) Accounts Receivable Specialist, who participated in her first Susan G. Komen Michigan 3-Day fight to eradicate breast cancer.

"I walked with my best friend, Amy, who is a 3-year survivor," says Miller. "It's very hard to put into words the inspiration and rewarding feeling that you experience over those three days. People throughout the cities in which you walk applaud and thank you for walking. The feeling is so overwhelming because you feel that what you are doing is nothing compared to what all the people who fight breast cancer go through."

The walk is held in seven cities across the U.S. Beginning on Friday, participants walk approximately 20 miles per day until the closing ceremony on Sunday afternoon. At the end of each day, walkers are welcomed "home" to the 3-Day Camp, complete with a dining tent, hot showers, pink sleeping tents, evening entertainment and various activities and resources along the camp's Main Street.

The Michigan walk, August 16-18, began in Novi and passed through new Hudson, Milford and Wixom; day two included Northville, Plymouth and Novi; day three included Livonia and Dearborn Heights, culminating at Ford Motor Company's World Headquarters in Dearborn.

Miller says the goal for each walker is to raise a minimum of $2,300 and complete the 60 mile walk. Seventy-five percent of the net proceeds that are raised by the Komen 3-Day help fund national research and large public health outreach programs.  The remaining 25 percent helps fund local community and affiliate support and outreach programs. This year, thanks to the efforts of Miller and thousands of other women (and men), the Michigan walk raised $2.7 million.

"I was very proud that I was able to complete all 60 miles," Miller says. "If I had to crawl, I was going to cross the finish line." 

For more information on the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, please visit the3day.org.  

Extreme biker Steve Olech rides 50 miles for Multiple Sclerosis Society

Aisin team members are no strangers to supporting community events and organizations. When there’s a need in the community, there’s often an AWA representative nearby.

AWA’s Steve Olech, senior manager, AWA Corporate Communications, is no exception. Recently, Olech participated in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s “I Ride with MS,” a premier fundraising cycling series which provides more than 100 ride venues across the United States. The Michigan event, which was co-sponsored by AWA, included about 200 cyclists of various skills, who rode 30, 50, 75 or 150 mile routes.

According to Olech, who rode 50 miles, more than 18,000 people live in Michigan with MS, a disease of the human immune system that can attack the central nervous system, specifically the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

Olech said he got involved in long distance biking for MS because his aunt suffered from the disease, and later died from it. He's been participating in the MS ride for 20 consecutive years.

“It’s not the miles that matter,” he said. “It’s the journey, the camaraderie, the personal accomplishment, and knowledge that you’re doing something to help others.” He said he has ridden with both the Chrysler and Ford bike teams.

The AISIN banner was flown proudly at the start/finish line of the event that began in Fenton, Michigan, and extended as far as East Lansing and the Michigan State University campus.

The MS Michigan Chapter has a bike ride event in the spring, summer and fall, and Olech said he’d like to recruit an entire Aisin team for next summer’s ride. The MS Society has a goal of raising $250 million designated to advance research by 2015.

An advanced rider, Olech said he trains by riding about 100 miles a week. His normal trek is a 33 mile roundtrip from his home in Canton to the University of Michigan football stadium.

One of his major accomplishments was the completion of the "Pepsi Challenge," 10 200-mile bike marathons within 24 hours on Belle Isle.

But his longest ride was in 2003 in Colorado at the "Ride the Rockies" event. Olech rode 544 miles over six days through several 11,000 to 12,500-foot mountain passes, including 6% grades for one hour straight up -- then down at 50 mph!

"I love to ride," said Olech, who's currently looking for his next extreme challenge. "My grandfather lived to 100 years old riding bicycles. I have a long way to go!"

For more information or to donate to MS Society Michigan, visit www.nationalmssociety.org

"Building character" Shunhe Wang earns Eagle Scout rank

YuQing Wang, manager, Body Components Evaluation for Aisin Technical Center of America (ATCA) most likely has high aspirations for his son, Shunhe Wang, as most fathers do. But he probably had no idea that his son would attain the highest rank possible in the Boy Scouts of America: the rank of Eagle Scout, which Shunhe earned on November 28, 2012.

The achievement was recognized recently in an Eagle Court of Honor held on June 4, 2013, with Troop 903 from Northville, Mich. Only about seven percent of Boy Scouts reach the rank of Eagles Scouts annually, and most who do attain the rank at age 17. However, Shunhe earned his Eagle Scout rank at 15 years old. His Eagle project was rebuilding a foot bridge in Maybury State Park.

As a Boy Scout, Shunhe has participated in National Youth Leadership Training and a high adventure camp at a Florida Sea Base. He also participated in the National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico this summer. Shunhe plans to continue with Scouting and is planning on attending another high adventure camp next summer.

A sophomore at Northville High School, Shunhe is straight A student; he also plays drums and piano with the school band, and enjoys wrestling and rowing.

“As a parent, I am very happy that he has achieved this rank,” said Shunhe's father YuQing Wang. “It took much dedication, but he is involved with a good troop that has good leadership. He is excited about continuing his scouting career, and I am pleased at the things he is learning. It will build character that will help him as an adult.”