Local SkillsUSA coaches speak on student achievements following state competition

MADISON — With the SkillsUSA state competition finishing up earlier this April, many local students in the Chippewa Valley celebrate their achievements.

Speaking for high schoolers at Chippewa Falls High School, technical education teacher Tim Pomietlo said, “The success of these students can be attributed to many factors. First is the quality of students and staff we have at Chi-hi. These kids amaze me with their level of sophistication, maturity, and dedication. They are constantly working on their craft in and out of the classroom.”

Adding to that commendation, Pomietlo said knowledge from disciplines such as engineering, math, communication, creativity and technical skills are also some of the many factors that contribute to students' performances in SkillsUSA.

Recognizing other factors, Pomietlo said that it is also the opportunities their school can provide the students with and the support each student receives at home.

When it comes to making it to state with achievements won along the way, Bob Morehead, Chetek-Weyerhaeuser Area School District technical education teacher, said, “It’s a big morale boost… I’ve had some students where this is the only thing that they do. It is the only extracurricular activity that they compete in, and they get passionate about it, they live for it, they can’t wait for it. And, the amount of pride that they get when they have that success is huge.”

With Morehead referring to SkillsUSA as “sports of the trade world,” it is a great chance for students to get that pressure of competing and getting passionate about something like this.

Morehead and Pomietlo speak for the achievements from students at their school, but many schools within the Chippewa Valley headed home earlier this month with achievements gained from their journey to state.