Auto students enrolled in the Automotive Service Excellence Program were awarded scholarships from a National competition on Friday, and they were personally congratulated by Funkmaster Flex. Click below to read the full story, view pictures, and watch a video.

Funk Flex

Students enrolled in the from the Automotive Service Excellence program in Great Falls received scholarships from a national competition on Friday, and were congratulated in person by radio and TV personality Funkmaster Flex.

The 30 students come from all three Great Falls Public high schools as well as outlying schools.

They’ve spent the year restoring a 1966 Ford Mustang that was confiscated as part of a drug seizure by police.

Their quality work has earned them a total of nearly $300,000 in scholarship money in the DupliColor Restoration Challenge.

Student Patrick Beer said, “It’s huge. I’ve never been able to do something like this and getting a $10,000 scholarship certainly helps.”

DJ Funkmaster Flex noted, “What I love about kids customizing cars is, it keeps them off the street, and I think that it gives them a lot to do. It teaches you patience, getting something done on budget, it’s a good lesson for life.”

A production crew tagged along as Funkmaster Flex toured the entire auto shop.

He’ll be hosting and serving as DJ at a party for the scholarship winners tonight as part of their prize.