Paso Robles students shine at SkillsUSA competition

Posted: 1:38 pm, April 30, 2014 by Reporter Meagan Friberg

Paso Robles sent 54 students and 11 advisors from Paso Robles High School to the California SkillsUSA Leadership & Skills Conference in San Diego.

Local chapter will send six gold medalists to Nationals

Paso Robles sent 54 students and 11 advisors from Paso Robles High School to the California SkillsUSA Leadership & Skills Conference in San Diego on April 24-27. The local chapter had contestants in 23 competitions; there were 1830 registered attendees, with 1595 contestants in 109 competitions.

The Paso Robles Chapter earned medals in 12 of the 23 competitions entered and brought home six gold, seven silver, and six bronze medals. The gold medalists in each competition have been invited to the National Leadership & Skills Conference in Kansas City June 23-27; six students will attend with advisors.

Gold Medalists: Tristan Balson – plumbing, Robert Comstock III – Marine Technology, Haley Dotson – Early Childhood Education, Wes Harmon – Mobile Electronics Assembly, Violet Lopez – Criminal Justice and Parker Pilg – Electrical Construction Wiring.

Silver Medalists: Matthew Dodds – Electrical Construction Wiring, Clem Lessi – Motorcycle Service Tech., Austin Lloyd – Plumbing, Cassidy Moses – Early Childhood Education, Caleb Rivera – Oxy-Acetylene Welding, Abraham Van Rensberg – Power Equipment Tech. and Adrian Robles -Telecommunications Cabling.

Bronze Medalists: Lauretta Closser – Commercial Baking, Ryan Colvin – Arc Welding, Takeru Konno – Plumbing, Taylor Lamascus – Power Equipment Tech., Colby Mathe – Electrical Construction Wiring and Hannah McMinn – Early Childhood Education.

Harmon ran for state office during the Conference and was successful at becoming the State Officer Reporter for the 2014/2015 school year. He will arrive at the National Conference three days early to attend the Officer Training courses for State Officers. The training will assist his present leadership skills he has gained from the Boy Scouts of America.

Financial assistance needed for Nationals

The competitors will be contributing approximately one-third of their cost to attend the National Conference; the local chapter will provide the remaining portion of the cost. Those interested in providing financial assistance are encouraged to contact Randy Canaday at rcanaday@pasoschools.org or (805) 674-4170.

Sponsor Appreciation Dinner

The annual Sponsor Appreciation Dinner for the local SkillsUSA chapter will be at the Culinary Arts Facility on Golden Hill Road on May 22 at 6 p.m. Those interested in SkillsUSA Chapter 211 are encouraged to attend; email Randy Canaday to reserve seats, cost is $15 per person.The dinner is an opportunity to thank the local individuals and businesses who have contributed to SkillsUSA Chapter 211. This year’s guest speaker is Ed Railsback, former principal of PRHS and present Board Secretary to California SkillsUSA Board of Directors.