By CHRISTIE MASTRIC

Journal Staff Writer

NEGAUNEE– Hard hats and safety glasses were necessary items in at least a few Friday school lessons. However, considering it was the 2023 Construction Skills Challenge, that’s understandable.

The annual competition took place at the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights Training Center in Negaunee Township.

Not only are traveling team trophies — that the winning teams keep until the next Skills Challenge — part of the mix, the computer technical education students from across the Upper Peninsula get a chance to showcase their skills.

Individual medals also were awarded to the top three teams on Friday.

Teams from schools and career tech centers had to construct a predesigned structure and compete in coinciding aspects of CTE.

Mike Smith, executive director of the Upper Peninsula Construction Council, said the welding competition involved metal inert gas, and tungsten inert gas and stick welding.

“They’re welding coupons, and then they’re being judged on how those welds look,” Smith said about the judging criteria. “Are they good welds?”

A coupon, he noted, is a piece of steel used for testing welders.

The construction competitors were to build a chicken coop, which they could take home after the competition.

“If they want to sell it to support their CTE program, they can sell it to do that,” Smith said.

There were, however, time constraints during the event.

“From start to finish — the entire thing — they have six hours to complete their project, and at the end of that six hours, if they had time, we have got a bonus build for them, which is a bird box and the access door,” Smith said partway through the event.

The Construction Challenge has several purposes, he said.

“This gives them an outlet, so those CTE students whomay or may not be in some other extracurricular activity and maybe don’t compete, this is an opportunity for them to compete directly with their peers across the U.P. to say, “Hey, who’s the best?'” Smith said.

Students came from as far away as Sault Ste. Marie and the Copper Country, Smith said.

Nick Thayer of Manistique High School showed a lot of enthusiasm in the event, noting his team was there to win.

He already had exposure to the trades; his father has a business, Lakeshore Electric in Manistique. In fact, the high schooler wants to become an electrician after he graduates.

“I’ve just been doing the trades my whole life,” Thayer said. “It’s something I’m fond of.”

Although he set out for his team to win, first place in the construction division went to the Copper Country Intermediate School District, which earned 272.15 points. Team members were Eric Simonson, Sharon Colbert, Mitchell Halonen, Lance Hammerstrom and John Huuki.

Manistique was second with 267.75 points. Along with Thayer, team members were Dylan Carlson, Christian Carroll, Nik Wing, Jeff Rice and Steven Holmes.

Third place went to the Dickinson-Iron ISD, whch had 248.90 points. Members of this team were Marcus Verrette, Luke Wolfe, Connor Quick, Sam McKissack, Gage Gendron and Bradon Walstrom.

Welding winners were:

Wire: first, Cameron McKenzie, Delta-Schoolcraft ISD; second, Jacob Charlebois, Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency; and third, Cole Smith, Sault Area Career Center.

Stick: first, Logan Sitta, MARESA; second, Luke Eagle, Sault Area Career Center; and third, Bryce Markham, Westwood High School.

Advanced: first, Adair Porter, MARESA; second, Thomas Seablom, Westwood High School; and third, Trevor Degrand, Delta-Schoolcraft ISD.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.