College of Western Idaho (CWI) students showcased their talents at the 2024 SkillsUSA Idaho State Leadership and Skills Conference! The event, hosted at CWI campus locations including the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC) on April 6, saw CWI students from various programs participate in both the leadership and skills competitions where they brought home 26 medals — six bronze, 10 silver, and 10 gold.
SkillsUSA is a nonprofit organization serving middle school, high school, and college students. In partnering with students, teachers, and industry, the organization works to provide a skilled workforce in America. Lab Materials Manager, Kelly McDaid, serves as CWI’s SkillsUSA advisor and is joined by several CWI instructors who act as competition-specific SkillsUSA advisors; JohnD Thompson, Sean McConnachie, Justin Moore, David Kerr, Jake Weber, Vince Palagi, Robert Novak, Jared Hemley, and Mike Wheeler.
Both high school and college students from all over the state of Idaho competed in these events and many industry partners assisted in running competitions. This gave CWI an opportunity to showcase the equipment, lab space, and student experience to a variety of prospective students and industry partners.
Students competed in several different categories, including Diesel Technology, Information Technology, CNC Machining, Welding Fabrication and Sculpture, Collision Repair, Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair, Robotics, Electronics, Mechatronics, and Drafting.
GOLD
Simeon Grant – Computer Programming
Josiah Kalousek – Customer Service
Nate Gaddy – Cyber Security
Stanley Ward – Cyber Security
Martin Kay – Mechatronics
Eric Proksch – Mechatronics
Jeffrey Seekamp – Photography
Mitch Gentry – Power Equipment Technology
Tony Ha – Telecommunications Cabling
Grace Wontorcik – Welding Sculpture
SILVER
Alec Nowatzki – Automated Manufacturing Technology
Myaro Miller – Automated Manufacturing Technology
Robert Robinson – Automated Manufacturing Technology
Jordan Mabbutt – Computer Programming
Owen Sabus – Customer Service
Joseph Spring – Cybersecurity
Anthony Toronto – Cybersecurity
Nathaniel Ralston – Extemporaneous Speaking
Kelly Rice – Photography
Lukas McTeague – Power Equipment Technology
BRONZE
Teryn Blackletter – Computer Programming
Chase Christensen – Customer Service
Nathaniel Ralston – Electronics Technology
Robert Robinson – Extemporaneous Speaking
Cory Kwan – Photography
Silas Aldridge – Power Equipment Technology
Students who received gold medals in their events secured a place at the SkillsUSA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, this June.
Best of luck to our CWI student delegation traveling to nationals!
