High schoolers in Sioux City compete in Skills Day

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — High schoolers in Sioux City got to practice a variety of life skills Friday.

Hosted by Western Iowa Tech Community College, “Skills Day” let these students compete in various competitions in agriculture, auto technology, culinary arts, graphic design, health, science, music, welding, video game design, and much more.

The competitions all let students obtain scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 to help cover tuition and housing. WITCC Director of Outreach and Residence Life Steven Garcia said that it also allows students to learn on hands on activities.

“I think it’s just a fun event, it’s fun for us to coordinate it, and it’s fun for them to come on campus and meet some of the instructors,” Garcia said. “Some students take dual enrollment classes, so they already know a little bit about some of our programs, but they get to do a little more hands-on learning while they are there.”

CNA student Kamea Van Kalsbeek said that Skills Day was a good opportunity.

“This is my first time, and it was a cool opportunity that I didn’t know about until this year,” Van Kalsbeek said. “So being in the CNA program at Sergeant Bluff, it was cool to be able to come out here and compete.”

While some students said this was their first time competing, senior Rahmah Sajid said that it was her second year competing.

“I was here before for computer science and I enjoyed it,” Sajid said. “I did get first place and won a scholarship, which was super nice.”

Over 200 students competed on Skills Day, with more than three dozen coming home with a prize.

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