Warren High students win medal for robotics skills

DOWNEY - Two Warren High School students were recognized for excellence in robotics at a national competition last week.Bernabe Perez and Samuel Kim won the bronze medal in mobile robotic technology after competing in the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City. Industry leaders representing over 1,100 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions recognized students for their demonstrated excellence in 98 hands-on occupational and leadership contests, such as robotics, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking. All contests were designed, run and judged by industry using industry standards. Top student winners received gold, silver and bronze medallions. Many also received prizes such as tools of their trade and scholarships to further their careers and education. High scorers also received Skill Point Certificates, awarded in 86 occupational and leadership areas to students who achieved a high score defined by industry. The SkillsUSA Championships is for high school and college-level students who are members of SkillsUSA. In addition to Perez and Kim, other local winners included: La Mirada High students Ryan Cooper, Kristina Jackson and Brandon Remedios (Skill Point Certificate in industrial and engineering technology) Bellflower High student Alfredo Larranaga (Skill Point Certificate in firefighting) Downey High student Jesus Laurean (Skill Point Certificate in photography) Lynwood High student Rudy Marchorro (Skill Point Certificate in medical terminology) Bellflower High student J. Jesus Diaz (college/post-secondary silver medial in residential systems installation and maintenance) Bellflower High student Jesus Flores (high school silver medal in residential systems installation and maintenance) "Over 6,000 students from every state in the nation came to compete in the Skills USA Championship (last) week," said Tim Lawrence, executive director of SkillsUSA. "This is the SkillsUSA Championship at its best. Students, instructors and industries are working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce and every student excels. These students prove that career and technical education expands opportunities." According to the U.S. Department of Education, students who take three or more career and technical education (CTE) programs in high school are more likely to attend college and stay there to graduate. In fact, 79 percent of CTE concentrators enrolled in post-secondary education within two years of high school graduation. Students in CTE programs also have a higher than average high school graduation rate, officials said. All SkillsUSA contests are operated and judged by industry experts using industry standards for employment. Contests assess hands-on, employability and academic skills. More than 1,700 industry judges and technical committee members participated this year.

********** Published: July 11, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 13