TSTC Students Sharpen Skills at State Conference

2015 is a big year for SkillsUSA at TSTC in West Texas. Big, as in the biggest in 35 years. This year, the school brought 32 students to the SkillsUSA State Conference at TSTC in Waco, the largest number of participating students since 1980.

Sharon Bagby, Master Instructor at TSTC in Abilene, says she predicts even more growth for SkillsUSA.

“It’s the largest group we’ve brought in a while,” Bagby said. “The students come back and when they talk to other students, I think it will grow. These students are really pumped that they’re here. There will be a lot of good feedback.”

Computer Networking & Systems Instructor David Beauchamp has also noticed the growth of the program, growing from no students competing in previous years to bringing a group of six this year. The students, competing in Internetworking and Information Technology Services are all first time participants.

Brian Lee, a Computer Networking & Systems student competing in IT Services says he wasn’t nervous about his first time in the competition.

“I’ve been doing it for a while. I’m pretty skilled in it and I think it will be fun,” Lee said. “The tougher people you compete against the better you’ll be.”

Though he wasn’t sure what exactly to expect when he got in the competition, he was ready for everything.

“Be prepared for it all. Just go in there and tackle the challenge. They’ve given us a little of what they’re expecting, not specific though, so we kind of try to prepare all around,” Lee said. “They judge us on if we can repair the problem and how long it will take. A lot of times there are multiple solutions, so they may judge you on which solution you picked.”

Architectural Drafting student Kenny Cadieux was a little anxious for his competition.

“It’s all in good fun, but at the same time it’s a chance to challenge myself,” Cadieux said. “I’m anxious but excited.”

Cadieux said there is usually some variance in Architectural Drafting.

“Depending on what the company wants you to do, you do anything from designing the general floor plan, all the way to being provided the floor plan and putting it into the computer,” Cadieux said. “It depends on how the company wants you to function; we’re versatile in that way.”

Chris Altendorf, a Chemical Dependency Counseling student, participated in the Community Service competition with teammates Becca Stinson and Josh Lopez. The competition involves putting on an event for the community, turning in a notebook explaining the event process and then presenting the results of the project to the judges.

The team of three put on a car show for the community to attend to get information on prevention and treatment of substance abuse. Over 400 people attended the show.

“The community came to look at the cars and motorcycles, but they also had the opportunity to go around and get education,” said. “We also provided an opportunity for those community resources to get together and exchange ideas and successes that they’ve had within the realm of substance use, and we gave students, staff and faculty an opportunity to volunteer and give back the community.”

Crystal Latham-Alford, TSTC Director of Student Life and SkillsUSA State Director for Region 2, said it’s an exciting time for TSTC SkillsUSA.

“It’s a big deal because we were able to represent TSTC at SkillsUSA like we haven’t in a very long time,” Latham-Alford said. “These students are not only showcasing their skills, but are representing TSTC, and we couldn’t ask for a better group to do that.”

TSTC West Texas students earned nine medals in the categories of Community Service, Computer Programming, Internetworking, IT services, Practical Nursing, Diesel Equipment Technology, Extemporaneous Speaking and Photography. TSTC West Texas students Chris Altendorf, Becca Stinson, Josh Lopez, Jon Lewis and Amanda Anthony will represent the school at the national SkillsUSA conference from June 22 through 26 in Louisville, Kentucky. Statewide, TSTC earned 85 medals.