The SkillsUSA statewide competition this year looked a little different, but SCTCC student participants weren’t phased by the changes, coming away with six first-place wins.
Students from several programs at SCTCC took part in the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference, which was held on a local level with the hands-on skills stations shared and judged via virtual means, localized in-person, or a combination. The conference kicked off on April 12, and contestants had until April 26 to complete their contest. The winners were announced May 1.
Each program was able to send up to six students to compete at the state level in one of 70 skill and leadership contests against other college-level students. Two post-secondary enrollment option (PSEO) students took part in the high school-level competition.
Auto Body student Noah Sherping from Albany took first place in the Collision Repair competition.
Culinary students Mercedes Wilson from Thief River Falls and Rae Eckerly from Eden Valley snagged first and third place, respectively. PSEO student Emily Johnson of Ogilvie took first place in the high school-level competition.
Electrical students grabbed first and second place in Electrical Construction Wiring: Stephanie Massman of Kimball took first and Austin Smith of Hugo second. In Industrial Motor Control, Electrical students Jorgan Kiley of Holdingford and Brandon Beek of Sauk Rapids took first and third place.
HVAC/R students William Lenneman of Sartell and Nolan Killian of Big Lake took second and third place in the HVACR competition.
Medium/Heavy Truck student Jordan Schmitz of Avon placed third in the Diesel Equipment Tech competition, and PSEO student Tyler Brambrink of St. Cloud took first place at the high school-level competition.
First-place winners at the state level have the opportunity to participate in the National Leadership and Skills Conference, June 21-24. The 2021 conference will be held virtually, with localized hands-on elements for select competitions.
Electrical Skills winners: Jorgen Kiley, Branden Been, Austin Smith, Steph Massmann.
Auto Body Skills Winner: Noah Sherping