Grays Harbor high schoolers invited to SkillsUSA nationals in Kentucky

April 26, 2018 1:30 am
(Courtesy Chuck Veloni) Nine Grays Harbor students were invited to attend the SkillsUSA national conference in June, but they need to raise $20,000 in order to go.
(Courtesy Chuck Veloni) Nine Grays Harbor students were invited to attend the SkillsUSA national conference in June, but they need to raise $20,000 in order to go.

The combined team of the Aberdeen, Hoquiam and Montesano SkillsUSA programs will send nine competitors — a record number — to the national conference in Louisville, KY this summer. The program runs June 25 to 29.

Notable participants include Hoquiam senior Walker Dunn, who was ranked fifth-best in the nation last year in the Major Appliance category. This year, Dunn will compete in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.

Also from Hoquiam is junior Trent Wood, who finished 12th best in the nation last year in Sheet Metal and will be competing in that category again.

Danika Peterson, a junior at Montesano, is attending after winning a gold medal in Nurse Assisting.

The audio production team of Aberdeen juniors Bryson Greneir and Colby Haviland will also be attending, after recently winning a gold medal. The two can be heard regularly on KAHS 106.5 FM.

Finally, the Aberdeen entrepreneurship team will be attending nationals, a group made up of Michaela Leach, Marina Urvina, Cole Schubert and Blake Beeson.

Some other notable recent awards were Derek Stoken, who was given a silver medal in Sheet Medal, and Zach Severson, who received a bronze medal in the same category. Eric Eng and Anthony Kallio won bronze medals in Robotics: Urban Search and Rescue.

Other students who attended and competed at the state conference are: Aleks Seguin, Zach Miller, Zach Volkert, Perla Mata, Alex Tomko, Hunter Olson, Ben Cherry, Elijah Walker, Michael Ray, Tanner Jones and Jose Martinez.

The Aberdeen High School chapter of SkillsUSA is hosting a barbecue Wednesday, May 23, in the school’s commons from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from any SkillsUSA member. The chapter is trying to raise $20,000 to send its nine students and two advisers to the national conference. Donations can be sent to “Aberdeen High School attn: SkillsUSA National Fund, 410 North ‘G’ Street Aberdeen WA 98520”.