Media Advisory |
Delta College SkillsUSA Medalists - San Diego
Itzal Navarro | Gold | Promotional Board | (Advances to Championship) |
Renata Zapara | Gold | Promotional Board | (Advances to Championship) |
James Donkin III | Silver | Computer Maintenance Tech. | |
Chris Martin | Gold | Technical Drafting | (Advances to Championship) |
Itzal Navarro | Silver | Web Page Design | |
Ger Chang | Silver | Web Page Design | |
Brenda Perez | Gold | 20 Second Elevator | (Advances to Championship) |
Juan Jasso | Silver | 20 Second Elevator | |
Stephanie Ramirez | Gold | Medical Terminology | (Advances to Championship) |
David Pereira | Bronze | Precision Machining | |
Francisco Maldonado | Gold | Welding GMAW | |
Damien Galabis | Silver | Welding GMAW | |
Leandra DeSantiago | Bronze | Welding SMAW |
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization that partners with students, teachers and industry to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The goal is to help prepare students for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. The organization has 13-thousand chapters with almost
15-thousand instructors and administrators as members.
In January, Delta College hosted the first round of the California competition, ultimately leading to the 2012 SkillsUSA Championships in Kansas City. “Enrollment in California's SkillsUSA almost doubled this year to 5,100 competitors, up from 2,700 last year,” says Delta College welding instructor and SkillsUSA advisor, Alex Taddei. “This means the competition was definitely more intense. Of the 15 Delta College competitors, 13 won medals in San Diego.”
Taddei points out that Delta College has only been competing in SkillsUSA competitions for two years. “Our team competed against students from trade schools and colleges that have been actively involved with SkillsUSA for many years. I’m proud of the way our students conducted themselves. Their success speaks volumes about the level of education they receive at Delta College.”
Alex Taddei emphasizes that SkillsUSA helps students stay at the forefront of the latest technologies in their disciplines. “To compete and earn an award in a SkillsUSA event is validation of an individual’s ability and is unquestionably a point of interest in a resume. Our goal is to help our students become the best they can be. I heartily encourage instructors and our local industry to become involved with SkillsUSA.” Alex Taddei enthusiastically predicts, “Delta’s competitors will be a ‘force to reckon with’ at the championships in Kansas City this June. Wish them luck!”
For more information on Delta College SkillsUSA, please contact Delta College welding instructor
Alex Taddei at (209) 954-5239, ataddei@deltacollege.edu, or electronics instructor Sergio Calderon,
(209) 954-6072, scalderon@deltacollege.edu.
Welding: San Diego SkillsUSA Gold Medalist Francisco Maldonado & Silver Medalist Damien Galabis
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