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On Friday, April 27th, over 200 high school students from every corner of the Upper Peninsula descended on Northern Michigan University’s Jacobetti Complex for the 12th Annual Upper Peninsula High School CTE Skills Challenge Day.
Students from Ironwood to Sault Ste. Marie and Escanaba to Calumet showcased their impressive skills by competing in four CTE Challenges: Automotive Service, Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), Construction Skills, and Welding.
They represented their schools and tech centers incredibly well and displayed tremendous talent and pride.
In addition to the competitions, students also had the opportunity to tour the Jacobetti Complex and learn more about the many outstanding Career and Technical programs offered at NMU.
Students also enjoyed the chance to test additional skills using a number of simulators including professional painting, heavy equipment operation, and welding thanks to the Upper Peninsula Construction Council, the Dickinson-Iron ISD, and Systems Control of Iron Mountain.
Medals and trophies were awarded to winning individuals and teams.
The 2018 Upper Peninsula High School CTE Skills Challenge Day winners are as follows:
Automotive Service Technology
1st place – Patrick Oja, Copper Country ISD
2nd place – Kody Maki, Copper Country ISD
3rd place – Tristen Teeple, Marquette-Alger RESA/North Star Academy
Computer Aided Drafting
1st place – Ryan Duff, Delta-Schoolcraft ISD
2nd place – Peter Evans, Gwinn HS
3rd place – Lukas Nelson, Negaunee HS
Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) – Advanced
1st place – Chris Sirois, Gwinn HS
2nd place – Isaac Redlon, Gwinn
3rd place – Evan Walker, Gwinn HS
Construction Skills (team event)
1st place – Delta-Schoolcraft ISD – Escanaba (Tyler Cook, Justin VanDrese, Bryce
Viau, Bob Bichler & Nathan Ouradnik)
2nd place – Chassell HS (Kyle Hupp, Eric Olson, Reese Erickson, Blade Warren, Jay
Erickson & Jordan Schaaf)
3rd place – Munising HS (Darren Castello, John Hermann, Trevor Johnson, Luke
Martin & James Eiseman)
Welding – Advanced
1st place – Sawyer Hicks, Dickinson-Iron ISD Tech Center
2nd place – Warren Torola, Calumet HS
3rd place – Kristen Neiswonger, Marquette-Alger RESA/ Negaunee HS
Welding – MIG
1st place – Cole Mager, Dickinson-Iron ISD Tech Center
2nd place – Allen Lind, Dickinson-Iron ISD Tech Center
3rd place – Dusty LaFave, Dickinson-Iron ISD Tech Center
Welding – Stick
1st place – Noah Jacko, Dickinson-Iron ISD Tech Center
2nd place – Anthony Krans, Dickinson-Iron ISD Tech Center
3rd place – Ean Bevins, Delta-Schoolcraft ISD – Escanaba
Welding – TIG
1st place – Josh Nykanen, Marquette-Alger RESA/Marquette Senior HS
2nd place – Jon Folkersma, Sault Area Career Center
3rd place – Brandon Wilcox, Dickinson-Iron ISD Tech Center
In addition, Patrick Oja received a $500 scholarship from NMU and each member of the winning Construction Skills Team received a new Carhartt jacket from Getz’s Department Store of Marquette. Over half of the competitors received a gift from one of our sponsors.
A huge thank you goes to the many people who make this amazing event possible including our host Northern Michigan University, Department Head John Centko, NMU instructors Heidi Blanck, Mike Andary, Evan Lucas, Randy Klitzke, Joe Routhier, Joe Bicigo, Kirk Guckenberg, Yvonne LeMire, and retired instructor Carl Peterson, the NMU Constructors student organization, Tony Retaskie and the tradesmen & tradeswomen of the Upper Peninsula Construction Council, our many business/industry sponsors from across the Upper Peninsula, the Marquette-Alger RESA, Safety Advisor David Allie, and our high school instructors who do a phenomenal job preparing their students for career and college.
