Students Compete in SkillsUSA
By BJ Lewis, Victoria Advocate, Texas
Feb. 29–Travis Boehm smirked and puffed his chest as he made predictions for this weekend’s SkillsUSA competition in Laredo.
He and 41 fellow Victoria school district career and technical education students will compete in seven skill categories today and Saturday at Laredo Community College.
The District 12 competition is expected to draw 800 students from the Rio Grande Valley, Victoria, Alice, Beeville and Corpus Christi.
“Once I walk in there my face will look mean, when I come out my face will be the same. But I’ll be happy inside,” he said. He predicted competitors from other schools will be crying tears of joy or sadness after the event but that all schools would be “scared of Victoria.”
The 16-year-old will compete in the automotive collision category. Victoria students are entered in criminal justice, computer maintenance, computer networking, electrical trades, construction technology, automotive collision and welding categories.
Top placing students can receive tools and equipment, recognition and the opportunity to advance to state, Lauri Voss, career and technical program coordinator said.
“It’s a wonderful education opportunity and real world experience opportunity,” Voss said. “The competition allows students to see what students in other districts are doing and it teaches leadership.”
Nick Brown, 18, and partners Joshua Garcia, 17, and Edward Dodds, 18, spent weeks on the modified computer they are entering in the computer maintenance category.
“You don’t get many chances to do something you like for a competition,” Nick said. All three students want to work in the computer industry in their careers.
While he doesn’t share his fellow auto collision classmate’s bravado, Chris Sierra said he will try his hardest at his first SkillsUSA outing.
“Go for it, try to win, try to get scholarships. They’re what I need these days, scholarship money for college,” the 17-year-old said. “I’m a little worried there will be a little bit better people out there but you have to try.”
Chris said he is trying to experience as many new things as he can his senior year.
“I’m just looking to have a good time and have fun at the competition,” he said. “This is my last year, I have to go out with a bang.”
Bj Lewis is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6535 or bjlewis@vicad.com.
To see a video: –VISD’s career and technical student compete in SkillsUSA video
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