A current graduate of Grafton Higher School is a national winner after successful an automotive routine maintenance competitiveness in Atlanta this summer season.
Owen Pryga took household the SkillsUSA Automotive Upkeep and Gentle Fix gold medal in June, according to a news release from Nic Fullington, Pryga’s specialized education instructor at Grafton Substantial School.
Pryga received more than $8,000 really worth of Snap-On resources and a $1,000 scholarship from Harbor Freight Equipment from SkillsUSA for successful the opposition.
“When I uncovered out I won it, it was also rather outrageous. I was hoping for best three, to at minimum get a medal, go on phase. It blew me absent that I obtained initial location,” Pryga mentioned in a cell phone job interview.
Pryga was a person of 20 learners from across the state who labored on many jobs about six several hours in the competitors that tested students’ techniques in security, brakes, electrical and electronics, suspension, steering, alignment, significant engine restore, engine effectiveness and transmissions, according to the news launch.
“The full issue was quite very well set up. I truly liked just likely to Atlanta, likely to a distinctive condition, transferring elsewhere, seeing all the folks from all across the United States,” Pryga said.
To qualify for the nationwide occasion, Pryga won the SkillsUSA condition competitiveness in April, competing versus 25 other Wisconsin rivals.
Grafton Significant School students have experienced for the national competitiveness 14 situations in the final 27 years. Pryga grew to become the school’s 3rd nationwide champion. Grafton pupils earlier gained the competitors in 2003 and 2006.
“It’s a great sensation to know that we are accomplishing anything appropriate, and to get him to a national acquire is incredible. Tremendous proud of him for doing that,” Fullington mentioned in a mobile phone job interview.
About the level of competition
SkillsUSA is a nonprofit nationwide schooling association serving middle college, superior school and university/postsecondary students “making ready for careers in trade, technological and qualified support occupations.”
Every yr, the firm hosts countrywide competitions for learners in a assortment of skill regions, including automotive. In the automotive class there are three competitions: automotive upkeep and light repair, which is the opposition Pryga competed in, automotive refinishing know-how and automotive support know-how.
Contestants at the national competitiveness are judged on safety, high-quality, skill to observe directions and methods, accuracy (in comparison with manufacturing facility specifications), workmanship and other competencies.
Learners are assigned 8 to 15 stations and have to work less than time limitations. Points assigned are identified by a specialized committee and are dependent on the problems of an assigned endeavor.
Pryga’s preparing, upcoming ideas
To assist Pryga put together for the competitors, Fullington enlisted the enable of Mark Didier, who works with the public functions department in the village of Grafton, as very well as Scott Bohn, who works at the Russ Darrow Honda dealership in Milwaukee, and Roman Weninger and Randy Strupp, who operate at the Five Corners Dodge dealership in Cedarburg. Others in the local community also provided support.
“It really is handy when you have a community that’s ready to support you prepare a child like that simply because we can only teach them so considerably in a faculty, and we will not have all the latest updates and gear like the marketplace does have,” Fullington claimed.
Pryga stated he is was grateful for the aid he’s been given from his teachers and his loved ones.
This slide, Pryga ideas to pursue a diploma in info know-how at the College of Wisconsin-Stout.
Pryga said he’s uncovered about how to function less than pressure through his automotive courses and the competitions, which he states will get ready him for the future.
“Especially in IT if you might be functioning at a large manufacturing position and one thing goes improper, you have to get that up and heading and on the internet quick. You seriously have to work well less than force, which is a massive thing I acquired,” Pryga claimed.
Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or [email protected]. Adhere to him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12.