Stafford Takes Gold

Picture left to right: Nick Hill – Mason (STC/FHUHS), Jimmy Jefferson – Carpenter (SJA), Ryan Taylor – Plumber (STC/FHUHS), and Billy Brinks – Electrician (SJA)

Stafford Technical Center takes gold: STC students place 1^st in the 2014 SkillsUSA Teamworks competition

Picture left to right: SkillsUSA mentor Tom Shannon (STC) , Nick Hill (STC/FHUHS), Ryan Eastman (STC/OVUHS), Ryan Taylor (STC/FHUHS), and SkillsUSA mentor John Bixby (STC)

Kansas City, Missouri – June 27, 2014:  Stafford Technical Center students Ryan Taylor and Nick Hill from Fair Haven Union High School won Gold at the 2014 SkillsUSA National Conference. Teammates Jimmy Jefferson and Billy Brinks from St Johnsbury Academy rounded out the squad of four in the Teamworks competition where teams involving a carpenter, mason, electrician, and plumber build a project from a blueprint.

Whereas most four member teams are composed of members form the same school,the joint Stafford – St. Johnsbury teamwas an unusual case that put coaches John Bixby (Stafford) and Mike Bugbee (St. Johnsbury) at a disadvantage. Bixby and Bugbee won gold despite the fact that it is only the third year that theTeamworks competition has been offered at the state level. In total Vermont finished with 10 Gold, 1 Silver, and 3 Bronze medals.