Media Alert: Skills Fest, annual high school technical skills competition
February 2, 2023
What: Skills Fest, annual high school technical skills competition
When: Friday, February 10 (contests 9:00 – 11:15 am, awards 12:00 – 12:30 pm)
Where: Ridgewater College Willmar campus gymnasium and labs
Who: media are invited to attend
WILLMAR, MN — Mark your media calendars for Friday, February 10, when Ridgewater College will host Skills Fest 2023 at its Willmar campus.
More than 300 students in grades 10 through 12 are expected from nearly 30 high schools to compete in a wide variety of technical skills, including such traditional activities as auto, ag and welding challenges, computer and photography skills, and veterinary medicine activities.
New this year will also include challenges in plumbing, paramedics, and meat cutting.
“We are beyond excited to bring back Skills Fest,” said Taryn Ziesmer, Ridgewater’s event organizer. The winter weather and the global pandemic put a pause on the longtime tradition for a few years. “It’s a great opportunity for high school students to participate in a truly rewarding, hands-on experience in a career field that they’re interested in pursuing while meeting other like-minded teens and the wonderful faculty and staff here at Ridgewater!”
The 29 participating schools may include students from your school. It’s a great chance to come check out their experiences and take photos for your media outlets. Schools include:
- Albany
- Alexandria
- Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa
- Cambridge-Isanti
- DREAM Technical Academy
- Eden Valley Watkins
- Edgerton
- Fergus Falls
- Holdingford
- Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
- Lakeview
- Little Falls
- Lac Qui Parle Valley
- MACCRAY
- Marshall
- Minneota
- Montevideo
- Moorhead High School Career Academy
- Morris Area
- New London-Spicer
- Pierz
- Renville County West
- Redwood Valley
- ROCORI
- Russel-Tyler-Ruthton
- Sauk Centre
- Willmar
- Windom
- Wright Technical Center
The event runs Friday, February 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning in the gymnasium and ending there as well for award presentations at noon. See the attached event program for your reference.
For more information or questions, please contact Taryn Ziesmer at [email protected] or 320-222-7605.