A bead on the future
<p>Brett Howell, 16, right, checks his welding work as his Lakeland High School classmate Tyler Michaud, 15, welds his project Friday at North Idaho College's welding program facility in Coeur d'Alene. Lakeland High students were competing to earn spots in the SkillsUSA competition in Nampa next month.</p>
<p>Tim Straw, the North Idaho College welding instructor, and Clyde Pittman inspect a Lakeland High School student's metal-cutting project for accuracy.</p>
<p>Laramie Coats, 16, adjust a torch as she prepares to take part in the metal-cutting phase of Friday's competition among Lakeland High School students.</p>
<p>Jacob Foss, 15, a Lakeland High School student, cuts a triangle shape through a piece of plate steel with an oxygen-acetylene cutting torch.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - How do you prepare for a statewide contest? The best way is to compete in one similar to it.
Lakeland High students competed in competitions for welding and precision machining on Friday.
They were judged by North Idaho College instructors and students pursuing careers with the same skills.
Tim Straw, NIC welding instructor, said the event was intended "to take (students) out of their element and expose them to a different welding environment than what they are accustomed to," he said, referring to preparation for the state contest.
The top three overall placers in each of the skills advance to a state contest in Boise.
Results were as follows:
Welding - 1, Brett Howell, junior; 2, Cody Schwarzkopf, senior; 3, Gavin Pointer, senior
Precision Machining - 1, Tyler Jones, senior; 2, Steven Sheppard, junior; 3, Felix Lopez, sophomore
Students from Lakeland, Post Falls and St. Maries also competed in a carpentry event. Results were unavailable.
Area businesses, including 3 Sons Manufacturing, Pro Build and A-L Compressed Gases, donated prizes and materials for the event.