CLACKAMAS – Four Vale High School students recently earned top honors at a statewide technical skills competition, earning spots to compete at the national level in June.
Japheth Carlson, Jacob Graviet, Beau Belnap and Abraham Vasquez earned top rankings in the mobile robotics and automotive tech divisions during the SkillsUSA Oregon competition last week in Clackamas.
SkillsUSA is national organization that tests high school and college students on their knowledge of technical programs.
Students competed in a variety of categories including automotive repair, masonry and carpentry to law enforcement, early-childhood education and the culinary arts.
In the automotive skills category, Belnap finished first and Vasquez took fourth. Both were required to complete a 13 skills work station and a written test. Each part of the contest was evaluated by a panel of judges.
Meanwhile, Carlson and Graviet took home first place in the mobile robotics competition. Their team had to use a mobile robotic system to solve a task.
As state champions, Belnap, Carlson and Graviet qualify to compete at the national SkillsUSA event in Louisville, Kentucky.
Reporter Kristine de Leon: [email protected] or 541-472-3377.
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