CONTACT:
Michelle Gaynier, Communications Specialist
mgaynier@monroeccc.edu
Each April, approximately 500 business and industry leaders coordinate nearly 80 skill and leadership contests for the 1,500 students members from across the state in the annual SkillsUSA Competition, a national, non-profit national partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce, preparing students for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.
The students in Monroe County Community College's Welding Technology Program competed once again this year at Washtenaw Community College with great success. Each student competitor had to submitted their resume, take a written exam, and then moved to the welding lab to complete their projects within the time limit. Winners were announced at the annual statewide Leadership & Skills Conference the following week. MCCC welding instructor Stephen Hasselbach works with the students each year to prepare them for the competition in addition to his regular teaching responsibilities. In total, MCCC welding students earned seven medals.
- Jeron Takacs of Trenton, MI, earned Gold for his performance in the Overall Welding - Post-Secondary Category. Overall is the most rigorous of the welding competitions because it includes GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, and OFC processes across multiple projects. Jeron is completing his second semester enrolled in the Welding Technology AAS Degree Program.
- Wyatt Larrow of Erie, MI, earned Bronze for his performance in the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) – Post-Secondary Category. Wyatt is completing his second semester in the MCCC Basic Welding Certificate Program.
- Grant Maxfield of Trenton, MI, earned Silver for his performance in the SMAW-CPS Category. Grant is completing his second semester in the Welding Technology AAS Degree Program.
- Kevin St. Bernard, Newport, MI, earned Gold for his performance in the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) – Post-Secondary Category. Kevin is nearing graduation of the Welding Technology AAS Degree Program.
- Tye Mandel of Erie, MI, earned Bronze for his performance in the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) – Post-Secondary Category. Tye is completing his second semester of the MCCC Basic Welding Certificate Program.
- Evan Wielfaert of Britton, MI, earned Silver for his performance in Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) – Post-Secondary Category. Evan is completing his second semester in the Welding Technology AAS Degree Program.
- Troy Salenbien of Dundee, MI, earned Gold for his performance in GMAW-CPS category. Troy is completing his second semester in the Welding Technology AAS Degree Program.
Student participation in Skills USA and attendance at the statewide Leadership & Skills Conference is made possible in part by funding from generous donors to The Foundation at Monroe County Community College.
