From Classroom to Competition: UBTech Students Demonstrate Career‑Ready Skills
The annual UBTech Student Showcase is a day where students put their knowledge and hands‑on skills to the test in a real‑world competitive environment. Earlier this month, more than 150 students gathered at the Roosevelt UBTech Campus to compete across eight skill‑based categories.
A key element of the Showcase is its strong connection to local industry. Area businesses participate as judges, prize sponsors, and subject‑matter experts, providing students with valuable feedback and real‑world insight into their chosen fields.
“It was an honor to participate in the Showcase and work with both the students and instructors,” said Lana McDonald, Sysco representative. “The experience was very rewarding. The students were proud of their work, pushed themselves, and showed real dedication. Even with the same base recipe, each student brought creativity through their own textures and flavors. It was a lot of fun, and I’d love to be involved again.”
“Automotive students rotate through 13 different stations, each designed to test a specific skill,” said Tyler McKee, Automotive Instructor. “There’s no way we could offer a competition of this depth without the support of our local industry partners who volunteer their time, expertise, and resources.”
The event is open to the public each year, giving community members the opportunity to see students in action. Students from Terra Academy and Athenian also attended, touring the campus and experiencing firsthand the impact and opportunities of technical education and skilled trades.
Congratulations to the students who placed in their respective competitions during the UBTech Student Showcase. In the health and medical fields, Practical Nursing student Aidyn Beckstead earned first place. Medical Assistant competitors saw Kaycee Allred take first, followed by Tiffany Parker in second and Chazlynn Michaelson in third. Nursing Assistant results included Elizabeth Graham in first place, Kaydence Bruyer in second, and Oaklee Oman in third. In Medical Math, Kyle Hadlock placed first, Abby Slaugh took second, and Kayson Zillies earned third, while Medical Terminology winners included Brooke McKee in first, Lauron Bowden in second, and Conor Wellard in third.
In the Automotive competition, Matt Jensen secured first place, followed by Taw Jackson in second and Dean John in third. Sam Fitzpatrick placed fourth, Kelvin Sosa fifth, Wyatt McKee sixth, Dyllin Redmond seventh, and Joseph Thomas eighth, rounding out a highly competitive field.
Electrical Technician students delivered strong performances as well, with Justin Bonner placing first, Leland Houser earning second, and David Richards finishing third. Cabinetry results included Eli Schurger in first place, Ryder Olsen in second, and Kyler Bennet in third.
Welding Fabrication featured both team and individual competitions. The first‑place team included Curtis Duncan, Warren Ovard, and Ryker McMullin, while Gus Phillips, Ledger Anderson, and Bodee Murray earned second place. In Individual Welding, Duncan Ovard secured first place, Edgar Rojas placed second, and Greg Hinks finished third. Individual Construction winners included Hanssen Leis in first place, Stockton Whiting in second, and Lynk Jones in third. The TeamWorks competition, comprised of four‑person teams, resulted in a first‑place finish for Jackson Checketts, Kael Gross, Grant Franklin, and Emmett Gregory, with Keston Dahlberg, Payton Bowden, Aden Rich, and Stetson Black earning second place.
Culinary Arts students also demonstrated impressive skill, with Gauge Clinger earning first place, Lexie Sandoval placing second, and Iykan Einerson finishing third. IT students participated through a collaborative demonstration, working together to build a computer. Participants included Quintin Baldwin, Kyran Schurz, Benjamin Johnson, Ethan Rios, and Brendan Pterson, highlighting teamwork and technical problem‑solving skills.
While the UBTech Showcase is a standalone event and not affiliated with SkillsUSA, the college encourages the community to support an upcoming SkillsUSA fundraising event. Community members are invited to attend a dinner and auction on February 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Roosevelt UBTech Campus. Auction items were built by UBTech students and include sheds, a chicken coop, a metal gazebo with a fire pit, hot‑rod‑ and camper‑themed playhouses, a go‑kart, a BBQ trailer with smoker, a poker table, a custom PC, and many other one‑of‑a‑kind projects. Proceeds help fund student travel to the state SkillsUSA competition. To view projects or register, visit ubtech.edu/skillsusa-auction.
A UBTech student competes in the Practical Nursing competition during the recent UBTech Student Showcase.
An IT student collaborates with peers to build a custom computer as part of a hands-on project during the UBTech Student Showcase.
A Welding student demonstrates hands-on technical skills during the UBTech Student Showcase held earlier this month.
A Construction student competes while building a project during the UBTech Student Showcase held earlier this month.
