Several Belle Fourche High School (BFHS) students recently competed at the SkillsUSA Conference, held at Mitchell Technical College in Mitchell, South Dakota. This year marked a significant milestone for the school, as it was the first time BFHS brought students to compete in the newly added Heavy Equipment Operation (HEO) category, alongside its strong showing in Welding competitions.
BFHS was proud to be the only school in South Dakota to bring students for the inaugural Heavy Equipment competition at the state level. The school was represented by two three-person welding teams, six individual welders, and four students in the Heavy Equipment division.
The results were impressive:
• Ryan Stegelman earned 1st place in Heavy Equipment Operation and qualified for the National SkillsUSA Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Markus Overstreet placed 2nd in the Heavy Equipment Operation competition.
• Landon Tate placed 3rd in Heavy Equipment Operation.
• Kyle Hendrickson earned 3rd place in the Individual Welding competition. Additional BFHS competitors included:
• Dylan Park, Roenn Ruzicke, Conner Crowser, Abbey Clendening, and Silas Carson – Individual Welders
• Alisson Jewett, Tucker Hughes, and Mason Nehl – Team 1 Welders
• Alexa Stone, Kate Blair, and Aolani Stone – Team 2 Welders
• Nick Vetter – Heavy Equipment competitor
In addition to current BFHS student achievements, former student Ayseluna Hockenbary, now studying welding at Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) in Rapid City, earned first place in both the Post-Secondary Individual Welding and Welding Sculpture competitions. She will also advance to compete at the National Conference.
The BFHS Heavy Equipment students extend their sincere thanks to Wayne Eaton of Eaton Construction and Proline Equipment Rentals for generously providing equipment and practice opportunities in preparation for the competition. Congratulations to all the students and staff for representing Belle Fourche High School with excellence, professionalism, and Bronc pride!
Read the full issue of the Belle Fourche Beacon by clicking here.
