ST. GEORGE — Dixie Applied Technology College had another record-breaking performance at the state SkillsUSA competition held in northern Utah March 31 and April 1. Students earned two gold, six silver and two bronze medals.
Marshall Schmutz, a high school student attending DXATC, took a gold medal in computer programming. He competed at the college level and will now go on to nationals in June to represent DXATC and the state of Utah. Eugene Leafty, a computer numerical control machining student, also brought home gold, making it the second year in a row that DXATC CNC machining students won first place.
Silver medals were earned by Sam Lytle in heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration; Rhett Stubbs in diesel; Nicolo Accordino in diesel; Gordon Zitting in electrical construction wiring; Cameron Davie and Jonathan Leach in secondary Web design; and Matt Myers in secondary computer programming.
In addition, two bronze medals were earned by T.J. Empey in electrical construction wiring and Mitch Johnson in computer repair.
DXATC has a tradition of excellence and it shows each year as talented young students travel to the state SkillsUSA competition to show off their talents and abilities and gain further competence and confidence in their chosen field.
“I see a lot of people without a skill or passion for anything,” said Matt Callister, who competed on this year’s DXATC welding team. “Coming to skills was a great opportunity because it restored my faith in humanity. I got the chance to see a lot of people with skills and passions for what they do.”
The SkillsUSA competition often propels students into new opportunities, whether it be a lifelong career in a field they are passionate about or further education that can advance their potential. Ike Urquhart, a former DXATC student won the gold medal at Skills USA in June 2016 and has now been accepted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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