The SkillsUSA Team made up of students from Aberdeen, Hoquiam, and Montesano High Schools recently competed in Louisville, Ky., at the National Championships.

Leading the way for the combined Grays Harbor team was Hoquiam junior and Twin Harbors Skill Center student Walker Dunn, who placed fifth in Major Appliance. Walker was tested on his troubleshooting skills, customer service, brazing abilities and technical knowledge. Walker is enrolled in the Industrial Engineering program and his instructor is Chuck Veloni.

Finishing in 12th place in Sheet Metal was Hoquiam sophomore Trent Wood. He was judged on an industries standards test, as well as a series of fittings that he had to make. Wood is enrolled in the Metals class and his instructor is Duke Harner.

The team made up of Ben Cherry and Marina Urvina took 20th in Robotics: Urban Search and Rescue. Besides an industries standards test, the team had to perform a series of time trials. Both are juniors at Aberdeen High School and are in the robotics club there.

Montesano junior Gage Iverson placed 23rd in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. Like Walker, Iverson was tested on his troubleshooting skills, customer service, brazing abilities and technical knowledge. He is enrolled in the Industrial Engineering program through the Twin Harbors Skills Center.

Also competing for the Bobcats was recent Aberdeen graduate Trace Christensen in Prepared Speech. Christensen went up against 45 other competitors that were narrowed down to eight after the first day. Christensen was enrolled in the Radio Broadcasting class at Aberdeen.

Competing with Centralia High School in Team Works was Aberdeen junior Tanner Nelson. Team Works is a competition that involves four students working together to build a small home. Nelson was the Electrical Specialist and is enrolled in the Industrial Engineering program through the Twin Harbors Skills Center.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry who provide educational programs, events and competitions that support career and technical education (CTE) in schools.