Students Rank in Nationally Recognized SkillsUSA Contests

“It has been a bit hectic the last few weeks as SkillsUSA members prepared for the big event, SkillsUSA State on April 15-16 at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas,” said Sherie Moran, the North Marion High School SkillsUSA Co-Adviser, “but it was worth the effort based on our results after the two-year COVID-19 hiatus”:

• Caedyn Laninga, a senior, Gold, for Carpentry skills, and
• Shawn Ostrander, a senior, Silver, for his Related Tech Math skills.

“It feels great to have placed so well in a state-level tournament,” Ostrander said. “I owe much of it to the fantastic Math Department at North Marion. I think that learning these skills at my age is vitally important for giving yourself a head start in the workforce and/or college.”

Moran said that Laninga is ecstatic to be the first member of the North Marion chapter to take home Gold in the nationally recognized portion of the USASkills contests.

“When I figured out I placed, I was in shock, disbelief and extremely happy,” Laninga said. “I honestly didn't know that I would place anything above Fifth, let alone getting First.”

The local chapter, established in 2016 with only two members, also boasted many other members who placed in the nationally recognized competition or participated in Oregon Only contests:

• Joseph Havel and Thomas Bonser, seniors, Fourth Place Ribbon, Mobile Robotics
• Shawn Ostrander and Raymond Magana, seniors, Sixth Place Ribbon, Mobile Robotics
• Joseph Havel, senior, Gold, Safety Participation (Oregon Only)
• Leonardo Medina, sophomore, Fifth Place Ribbon, Safety Participation (Oregon Only)
• Thomas Bonser, senior, Silver, Safety Participation (Oregon Only)

Sherie Moran said that these SkillsUSA members “had a great experience and learned a lot”:

• Leo Medina, sophomore, and David Snow, senior, Mobile Robotics
• Joshua Williamson, sophomore, Carpentry
• Mason Malensek, freshman, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Oregon Only)

Ostrander said that he has learned a great deal from the experience, and he recommends SkillsUSA to other students.

“SkillsUSA has taught me many things, from the importance of hard work to punctuality,” he said. “I would tell any students who want to join in the future that SkillsUSA will help to teach them both job skills and how to be productive.”

Laninga felt the same way, saying that this has been his first year in SkillsUSA and that it is “the most enjoyable club throughout high school.”

“I have learned a lot about carpentry in the two months of preparation for state and had fun while doing it all,” he said. “I gained my confidence and skill in woodworking at a young age in my grandpa's shop. I kept these skills and learned new ones over the years to get me to where I am today. Going into woodworking, I knew it would be important in the future and is a great skill to have too.”

Moran said that she and Co-Adviser JR Rogers are proud of all their contestants, with or without the medals and ribbons.  

"They are all winners in my book!" Moran said. "It takes courage (and sometimes a bit of a hard push), to put yourself out there, but it is worth the effort for the experience and satisfaction of a job well done."

To share a story on North Marion, email Communications Specialist Jillian Daley at jillian.daley@nmarion.k12.or.us.