For the first time in over five years, the Skills USA team at Rocklin High School is sending all of their regional competitors to state. That’s fifteen competitors overall, four girls, and eleven boys.  Not only is this the most people to compete for Skills USA, but it is also double the amount of qualifiers they had last year.

“This is a big deal,” Mr. Frank said.

Skills USA is basically a club within the EST classes.  The club provides community service, as well as opportunities to compete against other EST students.  This year, the competition to qualify for state was in Sacramento at American River college. The students had 2-3 hours to draw a set of prints for a “Widget” (usable part).  Their works are then judged by industry representatives and they are given a score based on the usability of their design.

“After designing the widget, I felt pretty confident because it seemed easy.  Our scores later showed that it wasn’t as easy as we had thought.  Although I didn’t score as high as I thought I did, I still scored really well and am excited to go to state again,” said Emma Yenerich.

The team can’t wait to go to the state competition in San Diego.  It will be a three day event with more competitors and even harder tests.  Be sure to wish the Skills USA team good luck at their upcoming competition!