LEWISTON, Idaho – Two Lewis-Clark State College students in the Technical & Industrial Division recently won Idaho State SkillsUSA competitions and will compete at their respective national competitions in June in Louisville, Ky.
Javier (Alex) Diaz, of Riggins, Idaho, and Anthony (Tony) Smith of Priest River claimed state titles and will be representing LCSC at SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Competition during June 25-29. Only the state winners in each event qualify for nationals.
The statewide competitions help evaluate a student’s preparation for employment and also recognizes outstanding students in their various fields. In all, LCSC had seven students earn medals by finishing in the top three of their event at the state competitions.
Diaz won the skills competition in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) last Thursday, April 5, at LCSC. Diaz is in his second year of LCSC’s HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) Technology program at LCSC. He will be accompanied at nationals by his LCSC advisor and HVACR assistant professor J.R. Kok.
LCSC students Nathan Davis and Keaton Kinzer finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the same state HVAC competition.
Smith took first in the Collision Repair Technology competition, which took place in Boise last weekend. Smith is in his second year of the Collison Repair Technology program at LCSC and he will be accompanied by LCSC collision repair instructor Clarence Griffin at nationals.
LCSC’s Jessica Arnett of Kendrick finished second in the Automotive Refinishing (painting) competition for the second straight year. She was one of four LCSC students to compete in the collision repair contests.
In CNC Machining competition, LCSC had four students compete and three came away with medals. John Parker of Orofino finished second in CNC Milling, while Mike Meyers of Pullman placed third. Keven Hedden of Kamiah was second in the other machining competition, Precision Machining. LCSC’s A.J. Peterson tied for fifth in Precision Machining. Hedden is in his first year of the CNC Machining Technology program at LCSC, while the other three are in their second year.
LCSC does well annually in these state competitions and regularly qualifies students for the SkillsUSA national contests.