Kirkwood students excel at SkillsUSA Championships

Two Kirkwood Community College students recently earned top awards at the 2021 SkillsUSA Championships, a national event held in late June to test the skills of career and technical students nationwide. The two students joined thousands of competitors at the event and were named among the best in their fields.

Christopher Funk, a 2021 graduate of the Kirkwood Automotive Technology program, won gold in the Automotive Service Technology category. In the competition, contestants demonstrated their ability to perform jobs and skills based on a task list outlined by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).

Workstations consisted of on-vehicle, simulations, bench and component testing as well as a written test. Participants were judged on technical competency, accuracy, quality, safety and ability to follow directions. The gold award marked the first time that a student from the Kirkwood Automotive Technology program placed first at nationals.

Kirkwood student John Fetty won silver in the Carpentry category. In that competition, contestants were asked to perform various tasks such as framing walls using wood and/or steel studs, cutting and installing rafters and gable end overhangs, fascia board and soffit installation, and installing sheathing and/or exterior siding and trim.

Demonstration of knowledge of stair construction was also required. Contestants were judged on accuracy, ability to read and interpret blueprints, workmanship, safety, and the proper use of tools and materials.

Kirkwood Dean of Industrial Technologies Emily Logan said the school’s performance at the SkillsUSA Championships is a testament to the college’s high-quality instruction.

“It’s really thrilling to see our students succeed at such a high level,” Ms. Logan said in a news release. “This not only proves how talented they are, but it also demonstrates what an incredible job our faculty are doing as well. As educators, the greatest reward we can ever receive is to see our students grow as learners and reach new heights academically.”