Students attending national contests this summer
Jacob Girten is a tinkerer, a builder and a maker.
The recent El Reno High School graduate also is a state champion and one of 46 people representing Canadian Valley Technology Center’s three area campuses at various student organization national contests this summer. “I am very excited to go to nationals,” he said. “It was an honor to represent Canadian Valley at the SkillsUSA competition, and it will be an even greater honor to represent the great state of Oklahoma at the national SkillsUSA competition in Louisville, Kentucky.” Girten, 18, completedCanadian Valley Tech’s Electrical Trades program in May and went to work immediately after graduation. “I am working toward my journeyman’s certification,” he said. “I plan to continue working on my master electrician license. After that ... I hope someday to own my own business." Entry-level electricians must first train as an apprentice under the supervision of an active, licensed electrical contractor. Canadian ValleyTech’s Electrical Trades program counts as one of four required years of apprenticeship education in Oklahoma.
The next step is journeyman electrician. A licensed journeyman can work independently installing lighting or connecting transformers, circuit breakers and switches.
Ultimately, a master electrician is certified to supervise other electricians, own a private business or work as a licensed contractor. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show a projected 15 percent increase in the number of electrician jobs available over the next five to six years. Girten believes he is internally “wired” to work in the field. “I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands,” he said. “I grew up building things from scratch and making them work. When I found out that CV Tech offered an electrical trades program, I knew that was where I wanted to be.” Girten is the son of John and Amanda Girten, of Yukon, and Brian and Wendy Pafford, of El Reno. He will compete at SkillsUSA nationals this month.
SkillsUSA is one of four student organizations atCanadian Valley Tech. Each is linked to a specific program or industry. Other student organizations are Business Professionals of America (BPA); Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA); and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA).
Canadian ValleyTech students are offered the option to compete at district competitions. Those who qualify may also compete at the state level. State champions are permitted to compete at the national level. CV Tech also has a school record three state officers, who were selected by their peers at state competitions this spring. They are Hailee Lindo, of Piedmont; Anesha Mason, of Oklahoma City; and Blaede Merrill, of Amber-Pocasset.
Canadian Valley Tech’s 2018 national qualifiers include:
Business Professionals of America
El Reno Campus: Bailey Mishler, Piedmont; Karla Monjaraz, Bethany; Alec Pierce, Piedmont; Grady Clark, Union City; andHeath Urton, Piedmont.
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America
Chickasha Campus:Kandice Roberts, Chickasha; Zoe Blue, Chickasha; and Jenna DiBenedetto, Chickasha.
El Reno Campus: Caitlyn Clark, Yukon; Autumn Jones, Yukon; Tyler Morgan, Yukon; Charisma O’Steen, Mustang; Jessica Richards, Yukon; Anna Stephenson, Mustang; Britney Summers, Mustang; and Madison Wilson, Yukon.
Health Occupations Students of America
Chickasha Campus:Kelsey Crews, Newcastle; Jennifer Letkiewicz, Blanchard; Leah Price, Chickasha; and Molly Simonton, Lindsay.
El Reno Campus: Danille Hay, Yukon; Ryan Jansen, Yukon; Jon Kurkul, Oklahoma City; Anesha Mason (state officer), Oklahoma City; Destiny Moxley, Mustang; Rachel Richardson, Yukon; and Maegan Thompson, Oklahoma City.
SkillsUSA
Chickasha Campus:Kamrin DeHart, Tuttle; Levi Johnson, Tuttle; Anthony Bollman, Verden; and Blaede Merrill (state officer), AmberPocasset.
El Reno Campus:
Hailee Lindo (state officer), Piedmont; Abigail Reinhardt, Mustang; Alexandra Jewell, Piedmont; Heather Minick, Mustang; Jacob Girten, El Reno; Bryan Kent, Yukon; Bryce Jopling, Mustang; Eric Woody, Blanchard; Devin D’Avis, Mustang; Jacob Mason, Piedmont; Jocelyn Clark, Oklahoma City; Ricky Powell, El Reno; Riley Ensign, Yukon; Tyler Brown, Minco; Gennia Tibbs, Yukon; and Savannah Tallbear, Yukon.
Bill Kramer is public relations coordinator at Canadian Valley Technology Center.