MATC Matters

MATC students will advance to national competition after winning several first place medals at the SkillsUSA Wisconsin Spring Conference. A total of 17 MATC students won first, second or third place medals in the competition, held at the Alliant Energy Center and MATC.

Eight hundred middle school, high school and technical college students competed in close to 65 events. In addition to showcasing their skills in technical and health occupations, the SkillsUSA Conference provided students with opportunities to explore career education options and meet with potential employers through exhibits, seminars, and one-on-one interaction with college, business and military representatives.

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations.

The MATC state medal winners and events in which they placed are:

• Automated Manufacturing:
  First-place team members-Eric Andersen, Trent Brendel, Chris Grinde
  Second-place team members-Jonathan Koehler, Tom Vander Sande, Vernon Johnson
• Precision Machine Technology:
  First-place-Chris Grinde
  Second-place-Eric Andersen
• Auto Service:
  First-place-George Heindl
  Second-place-Jacob Kinnett
• Collision Repair:
  First-place-Ben Janke,
  Second-place-Nathan McAdams,
  Third-place-Sean Linton
• Cabinet making:
  First-place-Josh Wiedenbeck
  Second-place-Joe Disch
• Diesel Technology
  First-place-Dan Louis
  Second-place-Dylan Anderson

Two MATC students were elected state officers for postsecondary SkillsUSA as well.

The following MATC instructors are true champions for the event:

• JR Colvin (Machine Tool)
• Tony Stute (Welding)
• Craig Lathrop (Automotive Technology)
• Paul Morschauser (Diesel Technology)
• Patrick Molzahn (Cabinetmaking and Millwork)

All of the MATC instructors involved did a fantastic job and were excellent hosts. Special thanks to Kenneth Starkman, dean for CMAT.

Congratulations to all!