This month Pioneer Technology Center’s (PTC) automotive service technology, construction technology, and welding technology programs hosted SkillsUSA Region III skills contests. In addition to PTC staff, many local business and industry leaders invested in the events to make each of them successful and rewarding for the student competitors.

The automotive service technology skills contest included 27 participants from PTC and four other technology centers. Participating technology centers included

Meridian Technology Center (Stillwater), Central Technology Center (Drumright), Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa, Lemley Campus), and Tulsa Technology Center (Sands Springs, Charles Page High School Campus). Pioneer Tech students Cody Voelker, Taylor Seales, and Joel Lewis, all of Ponca City, will compete at the state competition in April.

Each winner earned industry related prizes. According to PTC instructor Gary Thomas, "Local businesses were very generous in donating tools and other items as prizes for the event. We always appreciate their generosity and willingness to be involved." The following local businesses donated items specifically for the automotive service contest: Auto Zone, Brandt's Ace Hardware, Davis-Moore Auto Group, GK Goodyear Auto &Tire, Hat's NAPA Auto Supply, O'Reilly Auto Parts (Ponca City and Blackwell), Pemberton, Southwest Truck Parts Inc., Sears, WyoTech, Snap-On Industrial, Blackwell Equipment, NAPA Auto Parts (Blackwell and Newkirk) and Locke Auto Parts.

Local automotive professionals served as judges for the event. Judges included: Chris Cotton, GK Goodyear Tire & Auto; Bill Atkinson, Davis-Moore Auto Group; Mike Miller, Cannon Honda; Alex Patterson, Jack Bowker Ford-Lincoln-Mercury; Jerry Gibson, Pemberton; Danny Coon, WyoTech; Richard Coldwell, Snap-on Industrial; Steve Bookout, PTC; and Joe Minor, Buechler Auto Sales & Supply.

The construction technology skills contest included participants from Francis Tuttle Technology Center (Oklahoma City), Autry Technology Center (Enid), Metro Technology Center (Oklahoma City), and Canadian Valley Technology Center (El Reno), in addition to the Pioneer Tech students. Hughes Lumber and Bartlett Building Center provided various hand tools as prizes for the event’s winners. Judges included Rick Scott of Rick Scott Construction, Tim Burg of the Ponca City Development Authority and Harold White of Creative Cabinets.

The regional construction competition included a total of 19 participants. PTC competitors were Ryan Hughes (Blackwell), David Hazard (Tonkawa), and Tyler McCombs (Newkirk). The competition project for each participant was to build a portion of a house, with two different wall heights and a split ridge.

The regional welding technology skills contest proved to be a success for Pioneer Technology Center’s welding students. In the secondary level category both first and second place were won by a PTC student. Jared Cartlidge was awarded first and Jacob Hill was awarded second for their welding skills. In the post secondary level of the event, Hipolito Velaquez won first place. And finally at the first year-secondary level, Chance Bradley was also awarded first place. According to welding instructor, Ted Rowe, "Our students were given the opportunity to come to the plate and bat; they all hit a grand slam in my eyes! I am real proud." Rowe’s award members will compete at the state level this spring.

The PTC’s cosmetology students also participated in contests this month. The SkillsUSA district contest for cosmetology was held at Autry Technology Center in Enid. PTC took ten students to the competition and all placed. According to instructor Sandy Payne, "The team effort and hard work of the staff and students made this success possible. We had a great time and now my students have a better understanding of why we compete."

Award winners for the "Hair" category include postsecondary students Janine Hageberg, third place and Miranda Eckert, second place; and secondary students Tasha Bustraan, sixth place and Josiah Abello, second place. In the "Nail" category, postsecondary winners were Mandy Myers, third place, and LaJuana Sebring, second place, and at the secondary level Kelsey Hill placed second. "Facial" category awards went to Jack McGuire with a first place at the postsecondary level. The secondary student winners were Chelsey Lyons, fourth place and Candy Hicks, first place.

The winning facial and up-do hairstyle manikins are on display in Pioneer Technology Center’s cosmetology building for exhibit.

Pioneer Technology Center staff and students did a great job this February in celebrating National CareerTech Month. They just did what they do best . . . compete and win. As they celebrate their successes they are celebrating CareerTech training!