Students compete at SkillsUSA

  Wednesday, June 25, 2014 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Two Pittsburg State students will compete in the SkillsUSA national competition this week in Kansas City.

Automotive technology major Joe Carpenter, a sophomore from Oak Grove, Mo., and wood technology major Mark Welle, a senior from Milford, Iowa, will compete beginning Thursday, June 26. Carpenter will compete in the Automotive Service Technology skills category, while Welle will compete in Cabinetmaking.

Both qualified for national competition after placing first in their respective categories during state competition in April. They will be among more than 6,000 students competing at nationals.

“We’re excited to be here and compete against the best in the nation,” Welle said. “It’s a little intimidating, but we’re confident in our abilities and are looking forward to the challenge.”

This year is the 21st and final year that the national competition will take place in Kansas City. It will move to Louisville, Ky., in 2015.

John Iley, chair of Pitt State’s Department of Technology and Workforce Learning, said PSU faculty have played a major role in the event during its time in Kansas City.

“Many of our faculty members have served as coaches, coordinators and judges at the national competition and our students have competed there many times,” Iley said. “Pitt State has been a key player in this event ever since it came to KC.”

 

For more information about SkillsUSA, visit http://www.skillsusa.org.