State SkillsUSA gold medalists advance to nationals

Two Ramona High School students and four Montecito High School students earning gold medals at state SkillsUSA competition April 25-28 will be representing California in the SkillsUSA national contest set for June 24-28 in Louisville, Ky.

SkillsUSA holds rigorous competitions, leadership trainings and maintains workplace skills standards to prepare students for workplace and college trades programs. The career and technical organization partners with students, teachers and industry to help each student excel at their chosen trade.

Riley Johnson and Seth Levy were the Ramona High School gold medalists at the state contest and Team Works members Michael Caparas, Christopher Coleman, Manuel Moreno and Dale Tash were the Montecito High gold medalists at the state contest. The state event was held at the Ontario Convention Center.

Robert Grace

Johnson, a freshman, and Levy, a college level student, worked on a KTM Dual Sport testing suspension settings and chain adjustment in the Motorcycle Service Technology category. They also performed parts lookup for a Harley Davidson soft tail 10,000 mileage service, precision measuring, valve service and written tests.

Caylor Nuth

The four Montecito Team Works members built a 4-by-8-by-8-foot building. They were tested on reading blueprints, materials list takeoff, plumbing, electrical, framing, steel stud framing, masonry and siding over one eight-hour day and a second 10-hour day.

The Team Works team overcame unusual challenges when they weren’t able to use their power tools for several hours and didn’t have the necessary parts upfront.

“They didn’t have power for a while and we were waiting for parts to come in,” Caparas said.

Caylor Nuth

Other Ramona High competitors at state SkillsUSA included Braden Brown and William Choate, who placed 11th in the Mobile Robotics Technology competition. Their mechanical and problem-solving skills were put to the test as they assembled and programmed a small robot to perform a variety of tasks.

Robert Grace

Their robot needed to move in all directions on a game field, push objects around, pick up and launch balls at a target, and be able to climb up a two-tiered bench. The robot was required to work in an autonomous mode for one minute before the team could switch to driver mode to finish the two-minute heat.

Several Ramona High students were fierce competitors in the welding category. Kyle Dodd placed fifth as an individual welder in the Combination Welding contest. Welding Fabrication team members Cody Teichert, Jason Diaz and Lucas Dumm placed fifth; and team members Zach Cussick, Sean Morgan and Eric Jauregui placed sixth.

Dodd was required to use blueprints that were given to him at the contest to build a specified box, using MIG, TIG, Stick and Oxy-Fuel cutting techniques. Dodd was also tested on his exactness, fit up, measurements and details of his work using different materials, including stainless steel, mild steel and aluminum.

The two Welding Fabrication team members were required to build a large Oxy-Acetylene welding cart. Blueprints were given to all the teams who started with the same bulk materials. Demonstrating teamwork and skills, the students were given six hours to measure, cut, drill, grind, fit and assemble the welding cart.

Ramona High’s sixth place finisher in the Auto Service Technology category was Jesus Chavira. He spent many hours studying and practicing tasks in all eight National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence areas of auto service. Chavira was tested on his knowledge and skills related to brakes; engine diagnosis; electrical; engine repair; transmission repair; heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC); safety and shop operation; and job interview. Tasks included problem-solving scenarios, hands-on tasks, and written questions.

Robert Grace

Ramona High student Charlie Dilts placed seventh in the Maintenance and Light Repair category, a new division replacing the Introductory Auto Service team competition. Dilts was tested on his performance in eight workstations: tire service, brake service, electrical tests, precision measuring, electronic service information, hybrid service, starter service and job interview.

In the Power Equipment Technology category, Ramona High freshmen Travis Kerr placed fifth, Matt Annliker placed sixth, and Addecca Day placed 10th. Their challenging contest covered a two-cycle running station, electrical, parts identification, fuel injection tests, valve adjustment, precision measuring, failure analysis, tool identification, string trimmer parts replacement and a written test.

Robert Grace

Two Montecito High students competing in the Individual Carpentry category at state SkillsUSA were Adrian Garcia, who placed fourth in the state, and Zoey Falls, who placed eighth in the state. Garcia and Falls were given a set of blueprints and were tested on performing a materials list takeoff and constructing a small building with trusses, windows and one metal stud wall. The project also involved cutting in a hip and valley roof.

Four students competing on a Team Works team at state SkillsUSA that won fifth place were Elora Hitt, Taylor Partee, Pabel Valadez and Blake Yule. Valadez replaced Team Works member Javier Hernandez, who competed in the regional SkillsUSA but was unable to compete at the state contest. Valadez spent extra hours preparing for the contest while he was a Montecito High student, but is now attending Ramona High.

Montecito High participants in both the Individual Carpentry and Team Works categories completed a 10-hour online Occupational Safety anrd Health Administration course to be able to compete in state SkillsUSA.

Montecito juniors Blake Yule and Taylor Partee are working with the Team Works team in preparation for competing at SkillsUSA next yea. Two Montecito students who graduated earlier this year — brothers Nick and Matt Tarantino — are returning to campus to provide guidance to the SkillsUSA competitors. Nick Tarantino is offering his expertise in electrical and Matt is offering training in framing.