Page 78 - 2008.Millard.North

Tim Tiemeyer, 12<-=====

Skills USA

President

"If you are good at a certain
trade, Skills USA allows you to
compete with others who en-
joy that trade as well."

A. junior Oakley Gil bert
exa mines his weld ing
project. During the
meetings eac h week,
members practiced
their welding skills
to get rea dy for their
next co mpetition. B.
Sophomore Pratik Gayee
strategizes for his next
move. He joined chess
club because he loved
the challenge . photos by
Tyler M yers

Developing skills to beat out opponents was essential for chess and Skills USA members.

When it ca me to chess club and Skill s USA, co nce ntration and have th e sa me interests you do," se ni or Michael Pistillo
strategizing pl aye d key roles in determining members' success. sa id.
A typica l chess cl ub meeting included th e chess boa rd , Skills USA all owed its membe rs to work with a trade
knights, quee ns, pawns, and the drive to beat out the opponent. that th ey were interested in pu rs uing. It place d emphasis
Havin g a strategy in chess is important, so members used the on the power trades have in pl anning for th e fu ture.
meetings to enhance their playing skills. "Today is our prese nt, but our sk ills are our future, "
"I loved tac kling different strategies beca use it helped me bea t se nior Adam Reese sa id.
my opponent," so phomore john Oliver sa id . Members competed in a state competition th at tested
Th e main focus for most chess members was to build up to th eir leve l of perform ance. At th e competi tion, members
compete in the state tournament. constru cted projects w ithin their ca tego ry, such as weld-.
"It's rea ll y exciting meeting ing, fl oor covering, and plumbing.
f Orm to the four judges at the competition, but I was nervo us, -.
new peopl eat the tourna-
"It was cool showing off my fl oor coverin g techniques
ments that love play in g chess
just as much as you do,"
and I wondered how it was all go ing to turn out, " sop ho-
so phomore David Tsai sa id.
more Tom Tiemeyer sa id.
a USA, strategizing applied to deve loping tec h- Cl ea n Up event at Millard North to help fundraise for the
For the members of Skill s
In March, Skill s USA membe rs hosted the Lawn Mower
state competition. For this activity, members changed the
niques required to co mpete in a ce rtain trade.
oil and sharpened the bl ades for a fee of $25. Th ey also did
"Th ere is no other club where you ca n weld
so me fundraisin g by working the co ncess ions at eve nts hosted
and melt objects while working w ith others th at
by the sc hool and se lling so me of their works of art.
§!IQtegy mate," bu t for others it ca me in mastering a skill they enj oyed.
For so me, glory ca me in say ing th e powerful word "check-
However, the true glory for most ca me in developing th eir criti-
ca l thinking skills and the ability to outwit their opponents.