At the SkillsUSA Nebraska state conference on April 20-22, the North Platte team brought home three gold medals, three silver medals, two bronze medals, and an adviser of the year award. Junior Adam Hill placed first in mobile electronics installation. Hill said, “I felt fantastic, like I was on the top of the world. It felt great. I knew what I was doing so it was pretty easy. Everything came naturally to me.” Junior Ryan Rookstool placed first in Oxy Acetylene Welding, and second in welding fabrication. The Opening and Closing Ceremony (OCC) team, consisting of seniors Taylor Kramer, and Sydney McGahan, sophomores Hallie Malsbury, and Korissa Runyan, and juniors Kelsey Epp, and Abby Kring, placed first. “OCC is a presentation, it’s a scripted business meeting, it’s how every SkillsUSA conference is opened and closed and so we have to walk in unison, speak in unison and know our parts by memory,” said Kramer. Sophomore Johnny Seery placed third in welding gas tungsten arc welding, and second in overall welding. In the category of automotive service, senior Caleb Douglass placed second and senior Joe Theim placed third. Sponsor Diane Livingston won the award of adviser of the year. The seniors are sad because it’s their last year competing. “I’m a little sad because this has been a big part of my high school career. I’m really proud of my team and how well they’ve done this year. I’m excited for Nationals,” said Kramer. “I hope maybe after three gold medals that SkillsUSA can get a little more recognition since we’re the only teams to bring home National titles.”