I-SS Board recognizes Statesville High School track and field teams, N.C. SkillsUSA winners

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman
Statesville High School’s men’s and women’s track and field teams were recognized by the school board for their accomplishments at state championship this year.

BY KARISSA MILLER

The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education recognized the accomplishments of the Statesville High School men’s and women’s track teams during the June board meeting.

Statesvllle High track teams

Principal Chad Parker said that this year’s track teams had unprecedented results and that he’s proud of these student-athletes.

The women’s track team came in second in the state, garnering the highest finish for an I-SS team in about 40 or 50 years, SHS Coach David Rucker said.

“There’s been a lot of ups and down, but we were able to have a very solid season this year — led by a talented group,” Rucker said.

The men’s team turned in a solid performance in the relays, he added.

N.C. SkillsUSA Ccompetition
SkillsUSA Winners from CATS were recognized by the school board. Pictured (from left) are I-SS Superintendent Jeff James, CATS Principal Larry Rogers, Jose Suarez, Noah Fox, Emerson Lowrie, Wyatt Donahue and school board member Brian Sloan.

The board also recognized the 2023 North Carolina SkillsUSA state competition winners April 18, 2023 in Greensboro. These students are from Career Academy and Technical School, CATS, represent Auto Tech, Collision and Repair, Diesel Technology, Digital Media, Motorcycle Technology and Welding.

Digital Media
• Trinty Huntz won gold in Adobe Visual competition.

Welding
• Stephanie Steelman won fourth in Welding.

Manicuring
• First place: Guadalupe Jacinto Calvario
• Second place: Yasmin Benitez Perez
• Third place: Brianna La’shae Valencia
• Fourth place: Anguelica Rodriguez
• Fifth place: EibySantibanez Arroyo

Automotive
• First place: Noach Fox in Automotive Service Technology
• Fourth place: Josh Suarez in Automotive Service Technology
• Second place: Emerson Lowrie in Automotive Refinishing Technology
• Fifth place: Jeremy Dalton in Automotive Refinishing Technology
• Fifth place: Wyatt Donahue in Collision Repair Technology
• First place: Skylar Poole in Motorcycle Service Technology
• Second place: Colby Zeigler in Motorcycle Service Technology
• First place: Flor Rivera in Collision Damage Appraisal

Additionally, students Noah Fox, Josh Suarez and Thomas Carr achieved Master Tech status on their ASE Student Certification Exams for the 2022-2023 school year.

Top Tech Challenge

Six teams from the Auto Tech Center attended the Top Tech Challenge at NASCAR Tech on February 11. The students were tested in multiple workstations, including parts and tool ID, powertrain, scan tools, electrical, engines, and a written exam. There were four teams that placed in the top ten and were recognized on stage after the competition. Students won a total of $34,000 in scholarships. The first and second place teams also won Snap-On tools and toolboxes for their school.

• First place: Noah Fox and Josh Suarez $10,000 each in scholarships
• Third Place: Skyler Smith and Brighton Smith $5,000 each in scholarships
• Fifth place: Lillyahna Nevarez and Parker Sherrill $1,000 each in scholarships
• Seventh place: Gregory Adams and Jacob Birch $1,000 each in scholarships
• 11th place: Christian Diaz and Nick Goss
• 12th place: Paxton Cook and Isaac Wyatt

OTHER BUSINESS

Also, during the meeting, the board:

♦ Approved a continuing budget resolution. According to Chief Finance Officer Adam Steele, the resolution is required by state statute. It is needed to continue operating until the final state and federal 2023-2024 fiscal budgets are known. The resolution is based on the approved 2022-2023 budget figures.

♦ Approved the school nutrition program bids for the 2023-24 school year, which includes Marva Maid Dairy, Hershey ice cream, Chemical, U.S. Foods and Pepsi. Board members voted to approve a continuing budget resolution.

♦ Approved the local Career Technical Education (CTE) plan for 2023-2024 school year. CTE Director Tim Woody shared some highlights for this year, which included a new zSpace lab at East Iredell Middle School to add Career Exposure, Virtual Reality Career exploration headsets with 38 career options, first annual STEAM competition for seventh graders, apprenticeship program and nearly 20 summer camps for students. Looking ahead to the next year, some of the CTE plans include implementing a barbering program at Statesville High School, growing the Pharmacy Technician program at CATS and providing more career exploration opportunities for middle schoolers.