RATHDRUM — Work, wax, weld, win.

Students sparked up their welders and strapped on their respirators as they participated in welding and automotive competitions Friday morning at the Parker Technical Education Center in Rathdrum.

On one side of the building, students from Kootenai Technical Education Campus, Newtech Skill Center and Lakeland, St. Maries and Sandpoint high schools showcased their professional prowess under pressure in North Idaho College's annual welding skills contest. The competition serves as a qualifier for the Idaho SkillsUSA competition.

“It’s going so far pretty good,” NIC welding instructor Earl Dreisbach said.

About 60 students had 30 minutes to complete welding projects that were judged by industry professionals.

“I think it’s great the kids get to compete in a different setting than they’re used to. They get all nervous — I can’t replicate that in my shop,” Lakeland welding teacher Corey Pettit said. “They’re in a different environment, different instructors. There’s a timing piece to it. If they can control their nerves, that’s the biggest thing for them.”

As time ticked down, Lakeland sophomore Kyler Tunnell briefly stepped out of his welding booth. This was his first year competing in the contest. He said he was feeling pretty good about it.

Kyler said he got into welding because of his brother.

"He took this class before me," he said.

Lab tech Joe Change said this event is a way for industry pros to foster the next generation.

"I had help in the trades when I was young and inexperienced," he said. I enjoy passing on the knowledge that I’ve accrued. People helped me, so it’s nice to help some younger kids with the little things you don’t really think about. It’s the tiny tricks you don’t think about that make the biggest difference.”

Welding winners overall:
1) Kros O'Brien, Lakeland
2) Gavin Day, Sandpoint
3) Rohan Wallace, KTEC
4) Kordell Liberty, Newtech
5) Evan Brown, KTEC

Across the way, 46 high school and college students pounded out dings and dents and blended automotive paint in the refinishing and body repair pre- SkillsUSA qualifier. The contests included written tests as well as repairing plastic, spot repair and plastic priming.

"Setting up this event is a lot of work, but I’m happy to get to this point and see them actually doing their thing now,” NIC autobody instructor Andy Rogge said. “I feel like most of them felt pretty confident. Their initial test scores seemed pretty decent. Now we’ll see how their events go. I’m really happy with my class.”

Lila Nosler, North Idaho College student, participated in the Regional SkillsUSA Competition for a third time. She said these events bring a ton of value to students' learning experiences. 

"Everyone gets the opportunity to talk to a lot of different judges or teachers that will tell you what you’re doing wrong and other aspects of the trade," she said. "It’s a really good growing experience especially if you haven’t had a lot of hands-on time with paint or body work.

“I’m a very competitive person so I kind of thrive in that environment," she continued. "I feel like I’ve grown a lot in the last three years and this was probably my best performance. I feel like as a whole we were really ready for the competition."

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working to ensure America has a skilled workforce. A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle school, high school and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.

The SkillsUSA Idaho State Leadership and Skills Conference will be April 7-9 in Nampa.

Autobody winners:

College refinishing: Angelina Delcomte, first place; Kamryn Wixom, second place; and Ash Lafleur, third place - all NIC students 

College collision: Taryn Costa, first place; Weston Warren, second place; and Fisher Harrin, third place - also all NIC students 

High school refinishing: Emily Vig, first place; Alexandria Schroeder, second place; and Allie Vanditto, third place - all KTEC students 

High school collision: Derron Traylor, first place; Jackson Broadhurst, second place; and Ezekiel Potter, third place - also all KTEC students

    Lakeland High senior Zach Burk works on a welding project Friday during North Idaho College's annual welding competition at Parker Technical Education Center.
  

    North Idaho College student Chloe Metzger preps a panel for a blend exercise Friday morning during NIC’s auto collision repair competitions.