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Movin On Up!

On to National SkillsUSA Competition

Congratulations are in order for Kankakee Area Career Center students who competed in the State of Illinois SkillsUSA Competition in Springfield, Illinois.  Of the group who competed, Alex Zilewicz from Central High School and Jarrad Mulderink from Beecher High School both took home a gold medal for first place and the chance to compete at the National Competition in June.  These two young men will travel with KACC Skills Advisors to Kansas City Missouri where they will compete against the best of the best from around our country.

Alex will compete in the Fire-Rescue division, a very mentally and physically demanding challenge for sure.  Alex remarked “while it was a good time, I’m glad I was definitely well prepared because of my 2 years in the KACC Fire-Rescue Program.  I still have a lot of preparation to do to be ready for National Competition.”  According to Alex's instructor, Alex was given the opportunity to train at Limestone Fire Protection District by Chief Whalen and “All of the firefighters spent most of their spring break preparing for State Competition.”  Alex is also training at Presence St. Mary’s Wellness Fitness Center to ensure he is physically prepared for the rigorous competition.  

Jarrad is a student in Mr. Morse’s Collision Repair Technology.  Jarrad thought State competition was a “great experience.  I was very nervous because I didn’t know what to expect.  I liked meeting new people and the competition.  Jarrad said he is still nervous about the National competition.  He said he will hope for the best.  To be well-prepared, Jarrad is trying to work with another local body shop and has been working with Mr. Morse, his instructor after school.

 It is amazing the work these young people are required to accomplish during competition.   Other students who competed and really shined at this year’s competition coming in the Top Ten in the State of Illinois were:

Competition	Place	Name	Home School
Fire Fighting	3rd	Bruce Lane	St. Anne High School
C.S.I. Team  (Law)	4th	Stephanie Emling, Mia Smith, Sydney Kleinert	BBCHS, St. Anne, and Central HS Respectively
Nail Care (Cosmetology)	5th	Gina Horn	Manteno High School
C.S.I. Team 2 (Law)	7th	Emily Blanchette, Taylor Bonds, Cassidy Stalnecker	BBCHS, Central HS and St. Anne HS Respectively
Health Knowledge Bowl (C.N.A. Students)	9th	Kersten Vance and Anna Jones	Donovan HS and BBCHS Respectively
Welding	9th	Austin Moss	BBCHS

KACC Director, Don Fay and Principal, Bosa Goodale both expressed their delight in students’ success at this year’s event.  “This is the State Scholastic Bowl of Career and Technical Education,” stated Mr. Fay. “We have had several students over the years move on from State to Nationals and then on to International competition.  It is really a big accomplishment.  Mrs. Goodale stated “When it comes to combining professional development and employability skills with theory and skill sets, SkillsUSA is the perfect complement to the education provided here at KACC.”