By Clarissa Olson Posted April 26, 2019
Over Spring Break, CTE students competed in SkillsUSA in Reno.
Many of the team members took home medals in various fields. Those who received gold medals qualified for the National competition in Louisville, Ky.
The Welding Fabrication team (Jimmy Rackley, Heath Hall and Julian Esquivel) earned gold. In Welding Sculpture, Dillon Patterson also received gold, Martin Bidaurreta silver, Trace DeForest bronze, and Jr. Cassinos came in 5th. Mitchell Kienholz took silver in Technical Drafting and Eduardo Aguilar gold in Electrical Construction Wiring. In Carpentry, Luis Duarte earned gold, Raymond Orzech, silver, Andrew Gabrica, bronze and Charles Villa 4th. In Welding Individual, Kaiden Esquivel placed 5th and Stuart Milton 7th.
SkillsUSA poses many benefits to students.
“SkillsUSA is a large group organization that holds competitions and minor forms of training for people doing work in business,” said Mitchell Kienholz. “Anything from working with computers to advertising to construction. My favorite thing about SkillsUSA is getting out and about, having new experiences, and learning new things along the way. Once I am out and about looking for a job, SkillsUSA is great for resume work. In National level competitions, winning at that might just get you a job instantly.”
The team competed against a large group of people, working hard to do the best they can.
“For the competition I was in, I think I saw around 30-40 other people,” said Kienholz. “I’ve pretty much spent, up to now, three years figuring out the program and figuring out the ins and outs of CADD.”
