Delta College campus
 
Press Release

Media Advisory
For More Information Contact:
Alex Taddei
Welding Instructor, SkillsUSA Advisor
(209) 954-5239
ataddei@deltacollege.edu


                 Delta College SkillsUSA Competitors Advance to National Championship    
   Delta College SkillsUSA Team in San Diego, April 2012

                                          Delta College's SkillsUSA Team in San Diego

San Joaquin Delta College’s SkillsUSA students once again proved to be among the “Best-of-the-best” in California. Delta’s team took home 13 medals at the recent State Championships in San Diego
(April 12-15, 2012). Six of the medals were gold. Of the gold medalists, five will advance to the 2012 SkillsUSA Championships in Kansas City (June 23-27).

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 Gold Medalist Francisco Maldonado and Welding Silver Medalist Damien Galabis at the podium in San Diego.
                 Welding: San Diego SkillsUSA Gold Medalist Francisco Maldonado & Silver Medalist Damien Galabis

      SkillsUSA Logo: Champions at Work

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