Dean 1W8 and Ehly 2W0 Take Silver Medals at SkillsUSA Nationals

Congratulations for taking silver medals at the SkillsUSA national competition in Louisville, KY, go to Bryce Dean 1W8, construction technology-masonry, for the masonry competition, and Brian Ehly 2W0, power plant technology, for the plumbing competition.

Other Williamson students who competed, but placed out of the top three spots were:

Automated Manufacturing Technology – Todd Fluck 1W8, Colin Green 1W8, Justin Thomas 1W8, all machine tool technology

Carpentry – Scott Pearce 1W8, construction technology-carpentry

CNC Technician – Austin Jacque 1W8, machine tool technology

John Curran 0W5, SkillsUSA advisor, said “Our students did an excellent job in the competitions all week. They demonstrated the high skill level of our students and the excellent behavior we expect of them. I think everyone who saw them was impressed.”

Accompanying Curran for the week-long event was Pete Zwolak 0W7, director of construction technology-masonry. President Michael Rounds also spent several days at the competition and treated the group to dinner. “President Rounds was very excited to see the guys compete and was able to congratulate each one after their competitions. The students appreciated him coming all that way to support them.”

Curran added that a big thank you goes to the trade instructors who helped prepare the students for their competitions:  Mike Neville 0W0, director of construction technology-carpentry; John Capuzzi 0W2, assistant carpentry instructor; Scott Chilman, director of power plant technology; Tom Zane, technology instructor; Dave Nagel, machine tool technology instructor; Harold Ney, machine tool technology instructor; and Phil Bachetti 9W9, assistant masonry instructor.

“An extra big thanks goes to Scott Chillman and Dave Nagel, who both began at Williamson this year and embraced the SkillsUSA competitions through preparation and passion, just like the veteran instructors.”

Former masonry instructor Dan Hiltebeitel was also there as a national judge for the masonry competition. “It was great to see his transition from instructor to judge and to continue helping to shape and mold the next generation of masons.

“Brian Ehly is the only competitor returning next year, so it will be exciting to see a new batch of students striving to be the best at their trades and show the country what the best trained young men look like.”

The national competition was the last for John Curran as advisor because he is leaving Williamson after ten years for a new career. He served at a very high level in the position for three years. Taking over is Mike Neville 0W0, director of construction technology-carpentry.