Thirteen UBTech students compete at Nationals SkillsUSA
Written by, UBTech
Uintah Basin Technical College sent 13 students to Louisville, Kentucky recently to represent the college and the state of Utah at the Nationals SkillsUSA competition.
This event occupies a space equivalent to 20 football fields, with more than 6,200 contestants testing their skills in over 100 separate events.
More than half of the UBTech students placed in the top 10 in their respective divisions, with two students placing in the top 5 and one earning a medal.
UBTech student, Brigg Edwards (far right), brought home the silver medal in Cabinetmaking from the National SkillsUSA competition held in Louisville, Kentucky. Secondary and post-secondary competitors were awarded.
Brigg Edwards received a silver medal in cabinet making, and McKinlee Thacker placed 5th in motorcycle technician. Dalton Van placed 8th in welding, Jaylee Morrel placed 9th in nursing assistant, Amy Murrieta placed 10th in medical terminology, and Hunter Webb placed 10th in aviation maintenance technology.
Mason Holmes placed 11th in electrical wiring, Koby Thacker placed 12th in maintenance light repair, Alec Foster placed 15th in culinary arts, and the four-member TeamWorks team which includes Tymarie White, Hayden Boren, Mason Tait, and Jesse Anderson, placed 24th.
Each state sends their gold medalist in each division to compete at Nationals SkillsUSA. This is the largest group of competitors UBTech has ever sent to nationals.
“Having such a large number of students compete at the National level reflects the quality of career and technical education the faculty at UBTech provide,” said UBTech President, Aaron Weight. “We are pleased with the growth and expansion our SkillsUSA chapters have experienced as a result of generous community partnerships, and look forward to additional students having opportunity to participate and compete.”
Earlier this year Todd Bro, owner of Iowa Tank Lines, entered into a partnership with UBTech to help students with the financial costs of competing in SkillsUSA.
“Nationals was an amazing experience! My trip to Kentucky was my first airplane ride,” said student competitor, Amy Murrieta. “I wouldn’t have been able to compete without the donation from Iowa Tank Lines.”
Thirteen UBTech students compete at National SkillUSA. Pictured left to right: Jesse Anderson, Masen Tait, Tymarie White, Jaylee Morell, Amy Murrieta, Brigg Edwards, Dalton Van, McKinlee Thacker, Hunter Webb, Alec Foster, Hayden Boren, and Masen Holmes. Not pictured: Koby Thacker.
“We want to provide an easier financial path for students who want to participate in SkillsUSA,” said Bro. “There is great satisfaction that comes with being involved with our community. I have great love for the concept of what UBTech does, the concept of working with your hands, offering an education that is available to everybody.”
