Three Riverland Vocational Industrial Clubs of America students will advance to the national competition at the end of June.

Monday, May 08, 2000

Three Riverland Vocational Industrial Clubs of America students will advance to the national competition at the end of June.

Shelly Olson, Nail Care Technology; Anna Carlson, Nail Care Model, and Jeff Hunn, Graphic Communications, all placed first in their category.

While those three advance, in total Riverland sent 27 students from the cosmetology, graphic technology, carpentry technology, automotive-industrial machinist, machine tool technology and electronics career programs to the Minnesota Skills USA-VICA regional competition March 24-26.

Competition was based on industry-driven occupational skill standards and evaluated by industry professionals. Industry donates thousands of dollars in prizes in the form of scholarships, tools, reference manuals and training aids for winners and their schools. Business partners work throughout the year to plan the competitive events and many of them hire their new employees from the students competing in the various contests.

Riverland graphics technology instructor Craig Knippel was awarded the Friend of Skills USA-VICA plaque for his 25 years of service in VICA.

Following are the top Riverland competitors, their rank in the individual contests and hometown:

Nail Care Technology: Shelly Olson, first place, Lyle; Cindi Christianson, second place, Oakland.

Cosmetology: Ginger Grunzke, third place, Freeborn.

Nail Care Model: Anna Carlson, first place, Stewartville; Chrystal Hodnefield, second place, Austin; Dawn Dobberstein, third place, Ellendale.

Automotive Machinist: Tony Hall, fourth place; Aaron Wendorf, fifth place.

Machine Trades-Blueprint Reading: Roger Hansen, third place, Albert Lea.

Construction Blueprint Reading: Josh Johnson, second place, Blooming Prairie; Josh Nelson, third place, Rose Creek.

Cabinetmaking: Josh Johnson, second place, Blooming Prairie.

Graphic Communications: Jeff Hunn, first place, Austin; Josh Wradislavsky, second place, Austin.

Carpentry: Josh Nelson, third place, Rose Creek.