LCHS students take top spots at technical skills competition

(Photo contributed) Le Mars Community High School sophmore Eric Weber installs a timing chain during a timed competition in the auto mechanics competition at the Technical Skills Competition Wednesday at Western Iowa Tech Community College. Weber took second place in the auto mechanics division. [Click to enlarge]

Twenty-eight Le Mars Community High School students took part in the sixth annual Technical Skills Competition Day for high school students Wednesday, with 10 placing in the top three in their skill area.

"All the students did good," said Paul Fischer, LCHS Trades and Industries instructor, who took 11 T&I auto and welding students to the contest at Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Seventeen LCHS students competed in technical skill areas.

(Photo contributed) Le Mars Community High School students placing in the sixth annual Technical Skills Competition Day at Western Iowa Tech Community College Wednesday are, front row (from left) -- Bethany Fischer, Kelly Neihus, Kegan Driggs and Lucas Chabela. Back Row -- Jacob Borchers, Ben Beitelspacher, Isaac Jahn, Eric Weber, Jake Conley and Josh DeLarm. [Click to enlarge]

"This is a fun contest," Fischer said. "They were having fun while they were doing it."

The students first took a written test, then competed in a hands-on skills test.

Josh DeLarm took overall first place in the welding competition, which included stick welding, wire welding and torch cutting, and a written test.

(Photo contributed) Trace Plathe uses a cutting torch, one of the four areas of competition in the welding division of the Sixth Annual Technical Skills Competition Day at Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City Wednesday. [Click to enlarge]

Each skill and the written test are timed, DeLarm explained.

"The contest is a challenge because of the time limit," he said. "We had blueprints to look at and then had to figure out what to do."

It was the first time DeLarm had worked with blueprints. The time limit also included setting up the equipment.

(Photo contributed) Jake Conley installs brake pads in the auto mechanics division of the Technical Skills Competition at WITCC. He placed third in the competition, which includes timed hands-on skills and a written test. [Click to enlarge]

"It was pretty fun," he said with a smile.

This is the first year DeLarm participated in the WITCC competition. He took the Welding I class when he was a freshman, and now as a senior, is taking Welding II.

"I like the hands on aspect of welding," he said.

(Photo contributed) Mary Albert sets up the cutting torch during the hands-on competition at the Sixth annual Technical Skills Competition Day April 1 at Western Iowa Tech Community College. [Click to enlarge]

It's a hobby for him and could be a career to fall back on.

His first place finish included a $200 scholarship to WITCC.

"I plan to to go to WITCC next fall, so that was a good thing," DeLarm said.

He intends to get his general education courses at WITCC and then attend the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, with plans to major in engineering.

"Josh is an intelligent guy. We thought he would do good on the welding," said Fischer.

LCHS sophomore Eric Weber of Merrill, a student in the Auto I class, competed in the automotive technologies competition and took second place.

In his competition, students were given up to three minutes in four categories: brakes, setting timing, taking a belt housing off and putting it back on, and replacing two valve springs.

His combined times added up to the fastest time and the second place finish.

Fischer explained the competition also included taking the brake caliber off and switching the brake pads.

"It was a hands-on competition which was fun," said Weber, "plus we got out of school. It was a good competition."

Last year, Weber participated in the welding division at the WITCC competition.

He plans to continue his studies in the LCHS T&I program.

"I like the hands-on learning rather than just sitting the classroom," Weber said. "I'd recommend it to other students."

Currently the class is studying electronics.

"All vehicles run on electronics now," he said.

He described the study as "really tough" but said he enjoys it.

Weber said his plans after graduation include work in engine repair and welding.

"I may go into diesel mechanics," he added.

If he pursues that direction, he will attend technical college for further training.

The Technical Skills Competition Day also had hands-on and written competition in the following areas of competency: auto body,, carpentry, computer-aided design, computer networking, drafting, graphic design, horticulture and CPR.

Judging is done by WITCC faculty and students with experience in their technical fields.

LCHS students who competed in various competitions along with their place finishing are:

3D Inventor -- Ben Bauman, Tim Minor and Brayton Ringsdorf.

2D Architectural -- Ben Beitelspacher, first place; Isaac Jahn, second place; Kelly Niehus, third place; Alec Johnson, Josh Meridith, Joe Potema and Brian Needs.

Digital Media Publishing -- Bethany Fischer, third place; Michelle Sluiter, Matt DeBoer, and Zach Lancaster.

Automotive Technologies: -- Eric Weber, second place; Jake Conley, third place; Jason Lammers, Tyler Boehm, Austin Bergquist and Neil Niehus.

Welding -- Josh DeLarm, first place; Mary Albert, Trent Mathey, Jeff Jenn and Trace Plathe.

Technical Drawing -- Lucas Chabela, first place; Jacob Borchers, second place; and Keegan Driggs, third place.

Fischer will be taking eight students, six in auto and two in welding, to the Skills USA competition at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny.

"There will be schools from across the state at this competition. It will definitely be more challenging," Fischer said.