Students Finish Among Tops In the Nation at SkillsUSA Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

7/19/2022

CLEVELAND, WI —

Three Lakeshore Technical College students who placed first in the annual SkillsUSA state-level competition advanced to the 2022 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Competition, placing eighth and ninth in their areas of expertise. More than 12,000 students competed.

Ryan Wendt, who graduated in May from the CNC (computer numerical control) technician program, competed in CNC turning specialist. He finished in eighth place.

Brent Budnik and Brittany Wehrmann, both of whom graduated in May from the electro-mechanical automation technology program, competed as a team in mechatronics. They finished in ninth place.

“To reach this national level of competition, our students first had to win at the state level against very capable competitors from the best schools in Wisconsin,” said Vice President of Instruction James Lemerond. “To prepare, they practiced their skills in our labs and drew from the dedicated work they put into their studies. At the end of the day, they proved their skills at the highest level of competition out there.”

The competition took place June 20-24 in Atlanta. Winners from each state in over 100 career event categories were invited to compete. 

Serving as advisors to the students were Mark Lorier, machine tool instructor, and Douglas Hamm, dean of business, technology, and hospitality.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. Competitions challenge students in trade, industrial, technical, and health occupation programs to apply their classroom learning in a competitive environment. Students focus on using their technical skills along with communication and troubleshooting skills as they compete against students from other technical colleges at the state and national levels.