SkillsUSA State Conference

April 30, 2013

Westside’s new SkillsUSA team brought home many different awards from the 2013 SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference.

The five members of the team attended the conference held April 11-13 in Hastings, NE. More than 1,200 students from all across Nebraska competed this year.

Here are the awards that the Westside Warriors brought home:

Kaleb Buss placed fourth in oxywelding
Keith Wilwerding placed eighth in cabinetmaking
Jacob Bowen placed 10th in automotive services
Wilwerding and Bowen were honored with academic achievement awards

Team member Erik Williams competed in cabinetmaking while the four other team members competed in technical team problem solving.The types of competitions range from drawing with CAD, to building parts of a house, to cooking food. The SkillsUSA state conference is held every year and has many different activities.

“The first night you go to opening ceremonies and then you take a test to see where they place you for what cabinet you will be making. They have a social at the YMCA were everyone goes to hang out and then the next day you start at 8:30 in the morning and have until 4:00 pm to make your cabinet or other product. After that, you go to team problem solving where you make something to achieve a goal,” explained team member Erik Williams.

SkillsUSA sponsor Paul Cross was impressed by the kids who competed.

“This was a totally new experience for all five students, and I think it was a great chance for them to demonstrate what they have learned in our district and in our department,” said Cross.

Next year the state contest will be held at the Century Link Center and Cross believes that it will be an excellent way for the other departments to show off their skills.

“I look forward to these 5 kids being true leaders, and potentially officers next year. I am also excited for more students to learn, join, and compete in over 70 contests that SkillsUSA Nebraska offers,” said Cross.

All five students are looking forward to expanding their skills for this next year’s state competition.

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