Career and Technical Education Center students taking placing at the SkillsUSA competition on February 7 at Bay Community College; from left to right in the back row is Drake Clements (1st place Electrical from Dollar bay), Evan Johnson (2nd place in Brakes from Houghton), Brannon Torola (1st place in New Vehicle Prep from Calumet), Coy Anderson (1st place in Brakes from Hancock), Ladd Andserson (2nd place in New Vehicle Prep from Calumet), and the front row is Zander Worm (1st place in Automotive Overall from Calumet).

ESCANABA – On Feb. 7, 2020, Bay Community College hosted the regional Skills USA Automotive competition where events showcased the best Career and Technical Education students from the Upper Peninsula. The Copper Country Intermediate School District’s Career and Technical Education Center had nine participants for the Automotive Technology program participate in the daylong events. Students from the CCISD did exceptionally well taking six of the twelve possible top spots in the four categories and each secured eligibility in the corresponding State competitions to be held in Grand Rapids this spring. The four categories students participated in included,

• Overall Automotive category where Zander Worm from Calumet took first place,

• New Vehicle Preparation category had Brannon Torola and Ladd Anderson (both from Calumet) take first and second place respectively,

• Brakes category had CCISD students also take the top two spots with Coy Anderson (Hancock) taking first and Evan Johnson (Houghton) taking second, and the

• Electrical category had Drake Clements from Dollar Bay place first.

Individual categories included a written test and practical, hands-on challenge where students showcased their mechanical proficiency. Prizes for top performers in the individual categories included tools, tool bags, and scholarships.

To learn more about how the Career and Technical Education Center right here in Baraga, Houghton, and Keweenaw Counties is preparing students for the jobs of today and tomorrow, please visit our website at https://www.copperisd.org/career-technical-education.