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Media Advisory |
For Immediate Release
Delta College Team takes Gold at SkillsUSA National Championships!
(L-R) Brenda Perez and Renata Zapara take Gold at the SkillsUSA National Championships in Kansas City, Mo.
(Stockton)
Hard work has its rewards...
Delta College SkillsUSA competitors Brenda Perez and Renata Zapara proved that they are indeed the “Best of-the-best” at this year’s SkillsUSA National Championships in Kansas City, Mo (June 25-27). The team of Perez and Zapara took home the gold in the Promotional Board category for post-secondary schools.
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization that partners with students, teachers and industry to ensure America has a world-class workforce. Their “mission” is to prepare students for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. SkillsUSA also strives to develop citizenship and leadership skills that will benefit our communities and the nation. The organization has
13-thousand chapters with over 330-thousand high school and college/post-secondary members. This year, almost 6,000 competitors took part in the SkillsUSA National Championships, more than double last year’s total. The event also set a new record with over 15,000 attendees.
Delta’s gold medal team of Brenda Perez and Renata Zapara were required to create a “Promotional Bulletin Board" with a SkillsUSA theme. In addition, the team’s level of skill and knowledge were evaluated with a challenging, nerve-racking interview.
“Our theme this year was: SkillsUSA Champions at Work: Skilled and Motivated,” said Civil Engineering major Brenda Perez. “We competed against 11 other post-secondary schools. Their promotional boards all had great potential. When they called our name for gold, I was in shock…
then happy when I realized it was a great accomplishment.”
Preparation for a national competition is never easy according to Delta Visual Arts major Renata Zapara. “The main skills Brenda and I used were communication, teamwork, time management and Photoshop proficiency. The design of our board included pictures of welding, construction and graphic design.” Renata was quietly optimistic. “I thought the competition interview was the toughest part. Everyone who saw our board loved the design; I knew we’d do well, but was still truly excited as we walked to the stage as champions. All I could say was, ‘Oh my gosh!’”
Alex Taddei, Delta College's welding instructor and SkillsUSA advisor, was extremely proud of Delta's competitors at this year's event, which also included: Chris Martin (Technical Drafting) and Stephanie Ramirez (Medical Terminology). “Our Delta students performed exceptionally well against the top talent in the nation. California alone had 287 secondary and post-secondary schools represented at this year’s championships.” 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 four-year colleges that have been actively involved with SkillsUSA for many years. I’m proud of the way our students conducted themselves. Their success at the state and national championships speak volumes about the level of education they receive at Delta College.”
Gold medalists Perez and Zapara couldn’t agree more.
“Once SkillsUSA becomes part of your life, it’s hard to let go,” says Brenda Perez. “At times, it can get tough, but it teaches you how the ‘real world’ is - tough and competitive. I’ve enjoyed every moment!”
“Students need to know that if they really want to better themselves while learning important trades and life skills, they need to join SkillsUSA,” adds Renata Zapara. “After being involved with SkillsUSA for five years, I can truly say that it’s a ‘life changing’ experience. Renata emphasizes, “I encourage all students to join SkillsUSA and become ‘the best you can be.’”
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.
Renata Zapara & Brenda Perez' winning Promotional Board: Skilled & Motivated
(L-R) Renata Zapara & Brenda Perez show off the gold at this year's SkillsUSA
National Championships in Kansas City, Mo. (June 25-27)
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