Eleven career technical education (CTE) students from McMinnville High School traveled to Camp Withycombe in Clackamas this weekend to compete in the SkillsUSA Oregon State Leadership and Skills Conference.
For the first time, MHS had students place in the competition, including a state championship for senior Iris Armenta, who won first place in the welding art category.
Other top ten finishers include Sydney Miller, who placed fourth in Commercial Baking, and Marckus Smith and Amos Grell, who placed fifth and sixth respectively in TIG Welding.
“This is the first time we’ve taken students to compete in categories besides welding,” said MHS Fabrication pathway teacher Chip Ford. “Besides the art and baking, we had entrants in construction, as well as our welding competitors.
“Our welders have never done so well as this year,” he said. “Marckus and Amos have learned a lot in their Solid Form mentor program and that made a big difference for how they performed.”
The competitors were mostly comprised from the MHS Welding Club.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. Oregon has over 700 total members in 29 chapters. SkillsUSA Oregon awarded over $50,000 in scholarships last year.