EL RENO – Zach Olson enrolled at two Oklahoma colleges. Neither was a fit.
During personal career exploration, he researched machining and believed it to better match his preference for learning style.
Machinists manufacture precise parts – mostly metal – for the aviation and oilfield industries, among others.
He then enrolled in Canadian Valley Technology Center’s Precision Machining Technology program.
In one year, Olson, 22, of Yukon, learned enough to earn his first real job making aerospace components at 3D Aerostructures in Yukon. He had some fun along the way, picking up gold medals in both the regional and state contests while showcasing what he learned.
Olson is one of 43 state champions this year for CV Tech. Gold medal winners at state competitions qualify for national competitions, which will be held this summer at various locations across the county.
Olson will be joined by machining classmate Courd Brown at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Contest in Louisville, Ky., June 24-28.
Brown, 18, and a recent Bethany High School graduate, said the state machining contest tested four areas, including trigonometry, measuring, thread identification and programming.
“We had a simulator, and we all got the same blue print,” Brown said. “We had three hours to program the blue print,” in preparation for making a simulated machined part.
Brown said he enjoyed the experience. He plans to return next fall to complete CV Tech’s machining program and also using the Next Step Scholarship. Afterward, he wants to work in the aviation industry.
“Anything mechanical I like,” he said. “I’m in the process of restoring an airplane. It’s a 1946 Commonwealth Skyranger.”
The pre-World War II design is a side-by-side, two-seat, high-wing taildragger. The craft was rejected by the U.S. Government as too challenging for wartime pilot training. Brown said he is in the process of acquiring a private pilot’s license to fly it.
Aerospace is among Oklahoma’s top employers. More than 230 aerospace firms are located in the Oklahoma City metro area with a workforce of over 36,000 employees, which together produce $4.9 billion in goods and services.
CV Tech has 18 SkillsUSA state champions, plus two state officers. In addition, the school is represented by 11 Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) state champions, nine Health Occupations of America (HOSA) state champions and four from Business Professional of America (BPA).
State Contest Results
Business Professionals of America (BPA)
El Reno Campus
1. Blake Miles, Yukon, Fundamentals of Web Design, adult
1. Michael Newhardt, Yukon, Fundamentals of Web Design
1. Sean Belew, McLoud, IT Concepts – Open, adult
1. Allison Guzzardo, Yukon, SQL Database Fundamentals
2. Hayden Evans, Piedmont, Computer Network Technology
2. Malanee Wheeler, Mustang, Digital Marketing Concepts
2. Addison Ryburn, Mustang, Network Administration Using Microsoft
2. Cade Seymour, Mustang, PC Servicing & Troubleshooting
2. Allison Guzzardo, Yukon, Visual Basic/C# Programming
2. Athena Rego, Yukon, John-Michael Krise, Yukon, Blake, Miles, Yukon, Website Design Team, adult
3. Chase Rowlan, Mustang, IT Concepts – Open
Cowan Campus
2. Samantha Botkin, El Reno, Basic Office Systems & Procedures, adult
2. Kiaya Kerwin, Mustang, Integrated Office Applications
2. Samantha Botkin, El Reno, Intermediate Word Processing, adult
3. Chesney Swinford, Yukon, Integrated Office Applications
3. Ramon Blanco, Mustang, Intermediate Word Processing
Chickasha Campus
3. Katelynne Cornell, Pocasset, Cleotress Euwins, Chickasha, Samantha Maldonado, Lindsay, Jayden Winters, Chickasha, Bethany Faulkinberry, Chickasha, Admin Support Team, adult
FCCLA
Chickasha Campus
1. Jason England, Alex
1. Kandice Roberts, Chickasha
1. Amy Russell, Chickasha
1. Deja Stubbs, Chickasha
El Reno Campus
1. Alyssa Bowen, Yukon, and Madison Brungardt, Geary, Early Childhood
1. Lindsey Dick, Yukon, Mariah Acuna, Yukon, Environmental Ambassador
1. Havynne Jones, Yukon, Shaelee Baldwin, Yukon, and Kati Davis, Yukon, Interpersonal Communication
2. Desiree Pierce, Mustang, Kayla Fox, Yukon, and Kayla Crosby, Yukon, Focus on Children
3. Taylor Neff; Mustang, Natalie Cowling, Mustang, and Hannah Gossett, Mustang, Illustrated Talk
HOSA
Chickasha Campus
1. Shelby Johnson, Rush Springs, Medical Terminology, adult
1. Kaitlyn Hall, Mustang, Extemporaneous Writing, adult
1. Rachel Burton, Lindsay, Pharmacology, adult
1. Allison Winn, Pocaasset, Hannah Winn, Pocaasset, CPR/First Aid, adult
1. Josh House, Yukon, Summer Lance, Piedmont, Tori Dodson, Yukon, Biomedical Debate team, adult
SkillsUSA
Chickasha Campus
1. Sierra Lohr, Tuttle, Digital Media
1. Falcon McDoulett, Tuttle, Precision Machining
El Reno Campus
1. Dakota Stokes, Yukon, Job Readiness-Job Interview, adult
1. Alexis Walquist, OKC, Low Speed Buffing, adult
1. Jacob Brickey, OKC, Standard Riding Mower, adult
1. Gavin Girard, El Reno, Job Readiness-Horticulture, adult
1. Tyler Weber, Mustang, Low Speed Buffing
1. Jacob Brickey, OKC, Community Action Project, adult
1. Gavin Girard, El Reno, Community Action Project, adult
1. Abbigail Dady, Mustang, Esthetics
1. Alaura Boyer, Yukon, Nail Care
1. Joanna Roberts, Yukon, Power Equipment, adult
1. Courd Brown, Bethany, CNC Turning
1. Zachary Olson, Yukon, CNC Turning, adult
1. Ashley Davis, Yukon, Job Exhibit-Fantasy Make-up, adult
1. Gavin Clodfelter, Yukon, Paige Levesque, Yukon, Rylee Looper, Bethany, Joanna Roberts, Yukon, Dakota Wright, Bethany, Chapter Business Procedures, adult
2. Brady Proctor, El Reno, Prceision Machining, adult
2. Colton Watters, Piedmont, Electrical Construction Wiring, adult
2. George Cerbu, El Reno, Carpet Maintenance, adult
2. Katelyn Prahm, Yukon, Job Exhibit-Long Hair
3. Brionah O’Neal, Union City, Job Exhibit-Fantasy Make-up
2. Ashleigh Arledge, Mustang, Cosmetology
3. Hannah Herhold, Mustang, Barbering
2. Morgan Burkhart, El Reno, Job Exhibit-Short Hair
3. Nadine Bradley, Mustang, Job Exhibit-Long Hair
2. Gavin Duff, El Reno, Enrique Garcia, Piiedmont, Jonathan Johnson, Yukon, Abigail Milner, Yukon, Cassandra Rosas, El Reno, Faith Sabarese, Yukon, Chapter Business Procedures Team
2. Jason Schieber, Union City, Welding
2. Hunter Engle, Yukon, Welding Fabrication
2. Kyler Powers, Mustang, Welding Fabrication
2. Isaac Yancey, Yukon, Welding Fabrication
2. Abigail Milner, Yukon, Graphics Image Sublimation
2. Ana Prospero-Avila, OKC, Advertising Design, adult
2. Nathaniel Ford, Tuttle, Automotive Service
2. Hope Eirwin, Mustang, Job Exhibit-Fantasy Make-up, adult
3. Brianna Clements, El Reno, Cosmetology, adult
3. Tabitha Babione, Minco, Job Exhibit-Long Hair, adult
3. Bailey Rubi, Mustang, Erin Buckley, Mustang, Kylie Burciaga, Yukon, Jadie Hokett, El Reno, Hannah Herhold, Mustang, Mavrie Maples, Mustang, Ashlen Woodall, Mustang, Opening/Closing Team:
State Officers: Dylan Laumbach, Chickasha, Ethan Tucker, Tuttle
