EST students earn 3rd and 4th in national competition

On June 23, 2011, two students in the Electrical Systems Technology (EST) Magnet Apprenticeship Program at MacArthur High School finished in the top four in the National Skills USA competition in Kansas City, Missouri. The students placed out of 23 students from across the U.S.

"Junior Hunter Bakel and Senior Greg Charlesworth did an outstanding job representing the electrical program, MacArthur High School and North East ISD," said Raul Vasquez, EST instructor. Bakel earned a bronze medal in the Residential Wiring Competition and Charlesworth placed fourth in the Industrial Motor Control Competition. This was Bakel's second trip to Nationals in two years, and Charlesworth's first.

Steve Albert, EST director, said, "Everyone practiced long and hard for the competition." He also expressed how proud he is of their accomplishments at the national contest.

"We are going to miss Greg next year; he is heading up to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech University where he will be majoring in Electrical Engineering," said Albert. "Hunter will be with us another year and I know he will try his best to get to nationals again and come home with the gold."

After graduation this coming year, Bakel plans on working in the electrical field as an electrician's apprentice and continuing his education with the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) adult apprenticeship school.

"Again, congratulations to Mr. Vasquez, Hunter, Greg and the great parents of these two students for a job well done," said Albert.

Posted on July 7, 2011