Members of Hamilton High School (HHS) SkillsUSA competed at the annual SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference (SLSC) April 7-8. HHS was represented by a record thirty-one students in seventeen different contests including advertising design, cabinetmaking, carpentry, CNC machining, photography, welding and more.
“We had more new members this year than we have ever had total members at state,” explains Hamilton High School Applied Engineering Teacher and SkillsUSA Advisor Alan Mamerow. “It is super exciting to see underclassmen get involved in SkillsUSA. This is something that often takes at least a year to really develop the skills that are needed at the state level. Then by their senior year they will be working with our newer students and continuing to build the program,” he adds.
SkillsUSA is an organization for students interested in pursuing careers or expanding their knowledge in skilled trades. Over 80 different contests are available in the state of Wisconsin. In its tenth year as a chapter, Hamilton’s team is advised by Applied Engineering and Technology teachers Alan Mamerow, Tom Schlueter and John Ziemer.
The following students received medals:
- Justin Krueger – bronze, Related Technical Math
- Summer Callister – bronze, Advertising Design
- Ezri Schulze – silver, Advertising Design
- Sarah Wagner – silver, T-shirt Design
- John DeByl, Bennet Hora and Justin Krueger – silver, Automated Manufacturing Technology
- Kaden Knauer and James Konkol – silver, Mechatronics
- Bryce Rogers – gold, Screen Printing
- Abhi Nalla and Aidan Rea – gold, Mechatronics
- Ryan Schmidtke – gold, Cabinetmaking
Gold medalists receive an automatic invite to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, which will take place in Atlanta, Georgia during the first week of June. All of Hamilton’s first place winners are planning to attend.
Hamilton High School Applied Engineering Teacher and SkillsUSA Advisor Tom Schlueter is proud of how students with more experience helped their younger teammates. “Sarah Wagner and Ezri Schulze played a vital role in supporting Summer Callister’s preparation for the Advertising Design competition,” explains Schlueter. “As experienced competitors who have both seen previous success, Wagner and Schulze worked alongside Callister to share their expertise and help her navigate contest requirements and expectations leading up to state.”
“Getting students interested in the skilled trades and going to competitions like this early in their high school career is huge, because it allows us to have time to work with them and see them in more of our classes,” shares Mamerow.
This year is the first time HHS had a freshman student compete in welding at the state level. Traditionally, only seniors participated in that particular contest. “This year we had a freshman who is currently taking our first level welding class compete at the state level. While she didn’t place, it’s very rare to see freshman TIG welding, let alone producing stainless steel welds as well as she did,” he explains. “I am thrilled that this student has the opportunity to continue building those skills for the next three years of high school.”
The SkillsUSA Team’s success is a testament to what the HHS Applied Engineering Program is currently providing students. The HHS Graphic Arts Program is constantly working on designing and printing posters, banners and t-shirts. Students enrolled in woodworking classes have taken on projects for classrooms and other HHS teachers. Students enrolled in construction classes at HHS have helped to build sheds for the district and elaborate dog houses for the NextGen Trades Challenge at the NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show. “Students are recognizing and taking advantage of the opportunities available to them at Hamilton High School and their dedication to increase their skills and abilities shows,” noted Mamerow.