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Ramona Students Earn Skills USA Medals
By Annette Williams
 | | Ramona High School Skills USA students who entered the State Skills and Leadership competition in Fresno are, front row from left, Brent Chastang, Jacob Jordan, Justin Kramp and Robert Faaborg. In the second row are instructor and adviser Robert Grace, Omar Bustos, Todd Dodson, Daniel Curry, Joseph Weir, Chris Houts, Jessica Schlumpberger and Ariel Huffman. In the third row are Mike Hashberger, Nick Jaquez, Tyler Williams, Heidi Jones, Steven Davis and Kelsey Jordan. In the back row are Austin Knight, Curtis Beezley, Mike Proctor, Nick Grassilli, Evan Bray, Brandon Grassilli, Zach McCreary, instructor and adviser Mickey Nielsen and Julia Ritter von Marx.
Photo courtesy of Bev Spiker |
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Ramona High School was well represented at the Skills USA State Skills and Leadership Conference competition, when 14 out of 25 RHS students attending earned medals, and one placed in the top five in two categories.
The statewide competition was held in Fresno from April 10- 13.
In the Firefighting event, RHS junior Curtis Beezley earned a silver second-place medal. Beezley is the son of Tammy Ronk, a teacher at Busy Bee Preschool.
 | | Ramona High School junior Curtis Beezley competed in the Skills USA firefighting category at the statewide competition in Fresno.
Photo courtesy of Tammy Ronk |
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"It was definitely one of the most challenging, physically demanding experiences I've ever been through," Beezley said. "It was an unforgettable experience." He definitely plans to compete again next year, he said.
Ramona's Skills USA advisers are headed by adviser and instructor Robert Grace.
"The students represented their community and families very well. I was proud of all of them," said Grace. "Thank you to Perry Ford for sponsoring most of our travel needs, providing two large Econoline vans."
Everyone worked hard, he said. "All of our young kids are looking to come back next year, and our club should keep growing."
"We had a great group of kids this year," said Mickey Nielsen, collision repair and welding instructor at Ramona High School and one of Skills USA Ramona advisers.
Gold medals were earned by Kelsey Jordan, for Intro Power Equipment Technology; Chris Houts, for Motorcycle Service Technology; Nick Grassilli, for Auto Service Technology; and Heidi Jones, for Customer Service.
Silver medals were earned by Mike Proctor, for Motorcycle Service Technology; Jessica Schlumpberger, for Collision Repair; Tyler Williams, for Auto Refinishing; and Curtis Beezley, for Firefighting.
Bronze medals were earned by Omar Bustos, for Auto Refinishing; Julia Ritter von Marx, for Commercial Baking; and Brent Chastang, Robert Faaborg, Jacob Jordan and Justin Kramp, for Intro Auto Service Technology Team.
Placing in the top five was Nick Jaquez, earning honors for Power Equipment and Job Interview.
Instructors Mike Saavedra, Skills USA automotive adviser, and Bev Spiker, Skills USA culinary arts and commercial baking adviser, also provided valuable training and support at the event, with the assistance of Laurie Ivers, Ramona High School instructional aide.
Gold medal winners go to the Skills USA nationals in Kansas City, Mo. in June.
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