For Hub City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Mid-State Technical College students and faculty brought home awards from the 44th Annual State SkillsUSA® Secondary Leadership & Skills Conference, a showcase of career and technical education students.

The competitions were held April 24-25 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. Four Mid-State Technical College students placed in the top three in their respective events, while Mid-State Machine Tool Technician instructor Mike Berry received the SkillsUSA Wisconsin State Advisor of the Year Award at the event.

A total of 16 students from Mid-State’s SkillsUSA chapter participated in six unique skills contests: Levi Kubisiak, Chris Reinwand and Phen Yang competed in Automotive Service Technology; Isaac Lepinski, Aaron Thorstadt and Mark Wedde competed in CNC Milling Specialist; Erik Cherney, Trevor Robida and Xavier Warren competed in Diesel Equipment Technology; Baylor Braatz, David Naude and Dan Zdroik competed in Precision Machining Technology; Mark Geiger and Austin Wilkerson competed in Welding Fabrication; and Madelyn Matthews and Jenevieve Phetteplace competed in Welding Sculpture.

For the second consecutive year Dan Zdroik, Stevens Point, finished in first place in Precision Machining Technology and qualified to compete in the National Leadership & Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, in June. Isaac Lepinski, Amherst, placed second in CNC Milling Specialist; Baylor Braatz, Junction City, placed third in Precision Machining Technology; and Madelyn Matthews, Wisconsin Rapids, placed third in Welding Sculpture, her second SkillsUSA award at the state level.