Evidence of that success came recently as CTE Automotive Technology student Zander Worm, a senior and 2021 co-valedictorian at Calumet High School, won the gold medal for the state of Michigan SkillsUSA Overall Automobile competition.

As CCISD superintendent puts it, “this is a huge accomplishment for Zander and the CTE program as a whole.”

All SkillsUSA competitions have been held virtually this year, but still offer a rigorous test of students’ knowledge, skills, and abilities.

In the overall competition, students completed a hands-on test which required them to diagnose an electrical board while being judged based on the performed steps by live video technology. Students took a 60-minute written examination about major vehicles systems. Additionally, everyone was required to identify safe shop practices and interpret a Material Safety Data Sheet. Lastly, Worm was required to demonstrate his leadership through a resume he provided as part of the competition.

Photo courtesy of Copper Country ISD Career & Technical Education Zander Worm, CCISD CTE Automotive Technology and Calumet High School Senior, won the State of Michigan SkillsUSA Overall Automobile competition and will now compete for the SkillsUSA National competition held this summer virtually from Nashville, Tennessee.

David Narhi, CCISD CTE Automotive Technology Instructor said,

“Having a student win a State level SkillsUSA competition is fantastic, it’s unbelievable as we’ve never had a student go so far,” David Narhi, CCISD CTE Automotive Technology instructor, said. “Zander will now continue to the national competition held this summer virtually from Nashville, Tennessee, which is very exciting for him and our program.”

“It feels really great to win,” Worm said, when asked what it meant to win the State SkillsUSA competition. “I’m surprised and humbled, but this is what we have been working for here and it means a lot to me.”

Worm discussed what it means to represent the Copper Country ISD CTE program,

“This program has done a lot for me,” he said. “It has taught me a lot of things and helped me learn a lot of skills. (The SkillsUSA win) is an opportunity to give back by bringing recognition to the program which means a lot to me also.”

Narhi is proud of all the students in CTE.

“When students have their head in the game as far as what they want to achieve, they have the ability to go places with CTE,” he said.

To learn more about the Copper Country ISD Career and Technical Education Automotive Technology or any other program, call 906-482-4250 or visit the Copper Country ISD website at www.copperisd.org/career-technical-education.