This past Saturday, CTEC hosted its annual CTEC Skills-off challenge with CTEC carpentry students. The event had 8-CTEC carpenters that were competing for 5 regional competitive spots on our CTEC SkillsUSA carpentry team. The event was sponsored by Joeris General Contractors and Hart Lumber who assisted with judging and with some amazing prizes for 1^st-3^rd place winners.

The students’ task was to follow a blueprint and build to their best abilities the structure that was designed in 3-1/2 hours. The structure was a typical 8’ wall that had one window, one door, side supports, and one pony wall with an attached roof rafter. Students had to demonstrate mathematics, safe use of the carpentry tools, building techniques, and proper skill to successfully build the challenge.

Out of the 8 students, 5 walls were stood, creating a very close race. Thank you, Joeris General Contractors, for the donation of the power tools, time, and the gift card for our contestants. Thank you, Hart lumber, for your donation of gift cards and your donation of time to design and judge the event. Joeris and Hart lumber, your time and dedication to education is truly a blessing and greatly appreciated.

The contest concluded as follows:

1^st place- Nathaniel Pena – MacArthur High School

2^nd place- Miguel Calzada – MacArthur High School

3^rd place- Jackson Maika – Ronald Reagan High School

4^th place- Jude Piazza – Johnson High School

5^th place- Ben Boyle- MacArthur High School

6^th place- Gabriel Cortez Guerrero- Roosevelt high School

7^th place- Noah Perez- Johnson high School

8^th place- Reese Robinson – ISA High School