Westfield Tech state SkillsUSA medalists Kyle Hadley, Christian Verdon, Sean Crawford, Dimitri Kostenko and Devon Doiron display their medals and prizes following their wins. (Photo by Maureen Baillargeon)
WESTFIELD – Five Westfield Technical Academy seniors medaled in the SkillsUSA state competition in Marlboro in April, the most ever from the school. Two gold medalists, Christian Verdon from Electrical Wiring and Kyle Hadley from Automotive Service will be attending the national competition in Louisville, Kentucky from June 19-23, accompanied by SkillsUSA advisor Maureen Baillargeon.
This is Verdon’s second gold medal in Industrial Motor Control in the state competition. He said this year’s practical test was completely different from last year, because the students had to set up an oil-burning hot water heater.
“I knew nothing about it; it was nothing we’d touched in shops. From my knowledge of how electricity works, I figured it out,” Verdon said. He said he asked the judges a lot of questions, and they shared the answers with all of the contestants. Only two out of the twelve working on the project, which included Verdon’s classmate Dan Shaw, finished it, Verdon said.
Verdon received a Milwaukee hammer drill and $2,000 in scholarship money to NIT (New Institute of Technology in Rhode Island) for winning the competition; however, he won’t be using the scholarship. Verdon, like all of the other medalists is working in a co-op this year at MCL Mechanical Services in West Springfield, and he plans to continue working there full-time after he graduates.
Hadley went to the state competition for the first time this year, successfully winning a gold medal in Automotive Service. For his test, he had to diagnose three cars, and work at seven stations on repair techniques and knowledge. There was also a job interview test for all of the contestants.
“Some parts were a little tricky,” Hadley said. The competition was held on Friday, and the students stayed over in Marlboro. The next day, they received their awards and gifts. For Hadley, it was a Snap-on Ratchet set, and almost $35,000 in scholarships to NIT, United Technical Institute, Ohio University and Lincoln Tech. Hadley has his plans set, however, as he will be joining the U.S. Army in July.
Dimitri Kostenko of Construction Technology received a silver medal in Carpentry at the states. Kostenko said for his competition, students had to assemble a 4X4 platform to replicate a floor, erect one wall with a rough window opening and a straight stud wall all by code. They also had to do dry wall, apply house wrap and side one of the walls with cedar shakes. The test included using materials wisely and time management. Kostenko said he wasn’t able to quite finish the dry wall and siding in the time allotted.
“I got further than last year and the year before,” Kostenko said. For his award, he received a set of 3 Stabila Levels, (“the best,” he added), a carrying case for five levels, and a 20 volt drill with two batteries. Kostenko won’t be using his $1,500 scholarship to NIT either, because he plans to continue working after his co-op at Roy’s Custom Carpentry in Westfield.
Silver medalist Devon Doiron from Collision Technology had to employ welding, metal working , repair a plastic urethane bumper, and take a written test, as did all the students, which involved estimates and suspension knowledge. For Doiron’s interview, he had to have a portfolio of cars that he had finished.
Doiron received a Snap-on Screwdriver set, and a couple scholarships. He plans to work full-time after graduation at Southwick Collison Center, a family business run by his father.
SkillsUSA advisor Maureen Baillargeon with seniors Dimitri Kostenko, Kyle Hadley, Christian Verdon, Sean Crawford and Devon Doiron, who spoke about the competition and their plans for the future. (Photo by Peter Taloumis)
Sean Crawford received a third place bronze medal in Electrical Construction Writing, which involved a mixture of house wiring and 24 volt work.
“It was very similar to last year. I completed last year, but didn’t place,” Crawford said. He received a Greenlee Multimeter for his prize, and two scholarships. His plans are to continue working at Industrial Technical Services (ITS) in Westfield, where he is doing his co-op. Electrical Wiring students at WTA graduate with 1800 work hours and 300 classroom hours that apply towards their journeyman license exam.
Baillargeon said that last year, WTA was a total participation school in SkillsUSA, meaning every student was registered. This year, they saved $3,000 by sending students to competition that were recommended by their technical shop teachers.
The cost of sending Verdon, Hadley and Baillargeon to the national competition in Louisville is $5,000. Baillargeon said they have done some fundraising already with a craft fair. To raise additional funds, they will be holding a one day, one hour sale of metal tumblers and water bottles on May 10. Tech students will be selling the high quality items over the phone. They cost $25, and the school receives $10 for each one sold.
Baillargeon said if people don’t want to buy a tumbler or water bottle, they will be encouraged to give a cash donation of $5 or $10 towards the national competition. People who wish to make a donation may send a check made out to WTA SkillsUSA to the school, located at 33 Smith Avenue in Westfield, or contact Baillargeon by email at [email protected].
Altogether, 15 students from WTA qualified at districts to go to the state competition. Baillargeon, who is lead teacher in Allied Health, has been involved as an advisor for four of the five years that the school has participated in the SkillsUSA program.
