Penta students win at Ohio SkillsUSA Championships

Five students from Penta Career Center will advance to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference to be held in June at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta after placing first in the Ohio SkillsUSA Championships.

This was the fourth year in a row that students in the digital/video production class took first place in the state competition held this month in Columbus.

Seniors Grant Carr of Perrysburg, Brittany Kovalik of Maumee, Jessica Thompson of Oak Harbor, and Samuel Wiggins of Anthony Wayne placed first as a team in the Broadcast News Production contest.

“When the students won last year, that was the third year in a row for us, and it really was an achievement,” said Russ Grycza, digital video production instructor. “To win the fourth year is outstanding.”

Mr. Grycza said he and the students were very nervous before the competition.

“They just did a great job,” he said. “I think we were expecting a lot more competition.”

Ohio SkillsUSA also asked the students to produce a video of all the events at the championships, which was shown the next morning.

“The state knows we can do it,” he said. “They shot the video all day, edited most of the night, and it was shown the next morning. It was an impressive undertaking.”

Brittany, who is headed to Cleveland State University to study film, said she is a little nervous to compete at nationals.

“We will be competing against students from all 50 states,” she said. “I am just going to work on my journalism, news writing, and practice studio production to get prepared.”

Samuel, who will attend Owens Community College to study film production, said he was excited about the win at state.

“I really did not know how big a deal it was until we got to Columbus and then won,” he said. “I now am going to practice so I do not stumble over my words.”

Grant, who will attend Owens to study visual technology, said he believes he benefited greatly from his side business creating and shooting videos for multiple businesses and organizations.

“I know the experience helped me be more prepared,” he said. “I am looking forward to competing in Atlanta now. It will be a fun five days for us.”

Jessica, who also will attend Owens, said she is undecided on her major. She said she initially was surprised the team won.

“I had faith in us, but I did not want to get my hopes up in case we did not win,” she said. “Now I am going to spend time practicing speaking in front of a mirror and watching newscasts to be ready for Atlanta.”

Not to be outdone, Drew Holmes of Springfield placed first in Ohio in the welding competition. Drew currently works as a welder and millwright for MCW Certified Welding and Fabrication in Delta, Ohio.

“It was exciting to win,” Drew said. “We were tested in a little bit of everything, from being able to follow a blueprint to actual welding. It was just a fun competition.”

For winning, Drew was presented with a total of $20,000 in scholarships from several secondary technical schools, including Hobart Institute of Welding Technology in Troy, Ohio, and Ohio Technical College in Cleveland. He was also given items like gloves, a jacket, and a bag, he said.

“I am not sure what my plans are after I graduate,” he said. “I am just going to spend a lot of time practicing for nationals now. I am going to build an aluminum pressure vessel to help me prepare for the national competition in Atlanta.”

Jacob Kraegel, welding instructor, said he knew Drew had a great chance of winning in Columbus.

“Drew is just super talented and driven,” Mr. Kraegel said. “He adapts easily and accepts challenges easily. He will do great in Atlanta.”

Mr. Kraegel said Drew was able to work with advisory members from Local 50, Local 33, and Local 557 of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry, as well as Dan Rizor of Werk-Brau Co. in Findlay and Ryan Thomas, junior welding instructor at Penta.

Welding ,s one of Penta’s fastest growing programs. Mr. Kraegel said.

“Welding in northwest Ohio is growing rapidly,” he said. “Welders are compensated well, and there is a huge need for welders, millwrights, etc.”

The welding program has also become a popular option for young women at the school. Currently, there are eight juniors and five seniors in welding.

Josh Sandwisch, career tech supervisor at Penta, said this was his first year serving as a supervisor for the competition.

“We had 100 students go down to Columbus, and so many did so well,” Mr. Sandwisch said. “We are very proud of our students and what they have accomplished.”

Mr. Sandwisch said Penta has been growing rapidly, and many programs have a wait list of students wanting to attend.

“Our welding program for high school students and adults is full,” he said. “There is a demand for workers in many technical industries right now, and students know that they can leave here and have a well paying career as a graduate. To be able to graduate and make a nice paycheck out of the gate is great.”

Penta had several students place second and third as well.

Silver medal winners were Garrett Hill of Northwood in the CNC milling competition; Kaitlyn Ingle of Swanton in the basic health-care skills category; and Joseph Wilson of Springfield in the information technology services competition.

Bronze medal winners were Cameron Fallis of Bowling Green in the internetworking competition; Preston Harp of Perrysburg in plumbing; Kennith LaGrange of Northwood in the Job Skills Demo Open; Eric Johnson of Perrysburg in the Job Skills Demo Open Model; James Shank of Lake in technical computer applications; Dana Switzenberg of Perrysburg for first aid/CPR; and Alyssa Whitehead of Woodmore in the phlebotomy competition.