200 High Schoolers Test Their Knowledge at Ridgewater Skills Fest
February 27, 2024
Nearly 200 students from 21 regional high schools tested their hands-on skills and knowledge at the 2024 Skills Fest at Ridgewater College, Willmar Campus, on Friday, February 9.
Challenges, activities and tests targeted eight primary categories: agriculture, automotives, nursing, photography and social media, veterinary medicine, and welding.
“This event truly celebrates student interest in hands-on, technical skills that can eventually be applied to some very rewarding careers in the future,” said Jeff Miller, Ridgewater College dean of technical programs. “This event also allows Ridgewater the opportunity to showcase our excellent technical programs and provides students the exposure to our faculty and facilities for future career planning. The skills students learn and build during events like this become the transferable skills needed in life.”
In some categories, students practice activities at their high schools and then attend to compete against students from other high schools. In other categories, students may study information before the event and then test to score the highest at Skills Fest.
The event culminates with a ceremony that celebrates and awards the top three individual or team placings in each category with plaques. In addition, first-place winners receive $1,000 scholarships from the Ridgewater College Foundation to support future educational goals.
Some of the schools attending the 2024 event included Willmar, Eden Valley-Watkins, Marshall, Montevideo, Lac Qui Parle Valley, Redwood Valley, New London-Spicer, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, BOLD, and more.