For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Three Mid-State Technical College students placed in the top three in their respective events at the 44th Annual State SkillsUSA® Secondary Leadership & Skills Conference, a showcase of career and technical education students. Competitions were held April 25 and 26 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.

Three Mid-State students placed in their events at the state SkillsUSA conference held in Madison. Pictured left to right they are Tyler Peterson, Madelyn Matthews and Dan Zdroik. (Courtesy: Mid-State)

SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit organization, describes itself as “a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.” 

A total of 16 students from Mid-State’s SkillsUSA chapter participated in seven unique skills contests: Kenneth Edwards III, Brett Przbylski and Christopher DMJ Reinwand competed in Automotive Service Technology; Kolt Linzmeier, Ryan Jack and John Schulist competed in Diesel Equipment Technology;  Dan Bernas, Kody Hastreiter, Mason Knuteson, Matt Nielsen, Tyler Peterson and Dan Zdroik competed in Precision Machining Technology; and Madelyn Matthews, Daniela Olivares, Aaron Sabaj and Monica Ueck competed in the welding event.

Matthews finished in first place in Welding Sculpture, and Zdroik finished first in Precision Machining. Both qualified to compete in the National Leadership & Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, in June. Peterson placed second in Precision Machining.

Mid-State’s students also stood out at last year’s national competition in Kentucky, Maggie Hirzy competed in Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) Milling and Jordan Esselman competed in Automotive Service Technology. Each placed in the top ten in their respective events.

Mid-State continues to grow the number of participants and the SkillsUSA events they participate in, and College organizers expect that trend to continue with additional program areas in the future. To learn more about Mid-State programs and services, please call 888.575.MSTC or visit the college’s website at www.mstc.edu.