Williamson Carpenter and Mason Best in Nation

Ten of Williamson’s finest qualified to participate in the 2007 Skills USA National competition last month and again, they brought back the gold. The group was elated when carpenter Michael Eroh 0W8 and mason Mike Wagner 0W7 took 1st Place in each of their divisions.

Awards were also presented to the following students:

• Benjamin Carter 0W7, 7th Place, Precision Machining
• Zachary Skibiel  0W7, 6th Place, Automated Manufacturing
• Shawn Scott 0W7, 6th Place, Automated Manufacturing
• Francis Sellitto 0W7, 6th Place, Automated Manufacturing
• Gerard Schneider 0W7, 5th Place, Team Works           
• George Phillips 0W7, 5th Place, Team Works
• Kevin Hatch 0W8, 5th Place, Team Works 
• William Harper 0W8, 5th Place, Team Works        

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high schooland college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. Formerly known as VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America), SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives, working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. It’s mission — to help each student excel.

Williamson students have been awarded at least one first place medal in each of the seven years the School has entered the national competition. 

Dan Hiltebeitel, Masonry Program Director entered the first Williamson masonry student in the competitions in 2000.  Since then, the number of participants from Williamson has grown to new levels with students from each of Williamson six shops taking part in the annual event.

Kenneth Nelson, Carpentry Program Director, has helped to produce five first-place national winners in the 39-year history of the SkillsUSA national championships. Williamson has only been competing in the Carpentry category for six years.

The students were accompanied by:

• Dan Hiltebeitel, C.W. and Marjorie Schrenk 4W9 Chair in Construction Technology/Masonry
• Carmen Martella, Edwin C. Ashton 3W9 Chair in Machine Tool Technology
• Kenneth Nelson, Director of Construction Technology/Carpentry
• Jim Schell, Power Plant Technology Instructor

CLICK HERE to learn more about SkillsUSA.