| All five first place winners from the area took home a gold medal and a chance to compete at the nationals in Kansas City in June. |
Students from the College of Eastern Utah and Carbon High had more first places at the state VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America/Skills USA) competition last weekend than anyone can ever remember. The competition which took place at Salt Lake Community College with levels for both secondary and post-secondary students, hosted students from all the higher education and applied technical institutions as well as the majority of secondary schools in the state.
Blake Keele , from Carbon High School took first place in secondary welding competing directly against dozens of students from other Utah high schools. He takes his welding classes at CEU.
The college had four first place finishers at state. Chase Walker from welding, Natalie Kemple from automotive, Rachel Pipher from cosmetology and Colby Shaw from the diesel program all placed first.
Kemple placed first in the job skills competition while Pipher took the honors in the prepared speech area.
Others who placed included a second place in nail care for Christine Laws, a second place in extemporaneous speaking for Michelle Carter and a third place finish for a team competition for opening and closing ceremonies. That team consisted of Lynette Burton, McKette Cox, Jennifer Jeffs, Melissa Miles, Tazia Murri, Lauri Palacios and Lucy Smith.
All first place finishers will go to Kansas City to compete in the nationals in June.